Apr. 27, 2026
Charles E. Pell's campaign against Judge Ami S. Sagel is rooted in racism
A meritless ballot challenge by Charles E. Pell seeking to force Ami S. Sagel to highlight her ethnic middle name--despite zero evidence of voter confusion--exposes how bias, not law, can drive attacks in judicial elections, a tactic the court firmly rejected.
Benjamin T. Ikuta
Partner
Ikuta Hemesath LLP
1327 N Broadway
Santa Ana , CA 92706
Phone: (949) 229-5654
Fax: (949) 336-8114
Email: ben@ih-llp.com
UC Hastings COL; San Francisco CA
Benjamin focuses his practice in medical malpractice cases on the plaintiff side. He has successfully litigated many cases involving birth injury, delay in cancer diagnosis cases, and elder abuse based on neglect.
There is only one Ami Sagel who serves as a judge anywhere in the United States. There is no second judge with that name. In fact, even using the more common spelling "Amy," there is not a single state or federal judge in the country named "Amy Sagel."
And yet, on March 11, 2026, Charles E. Pell filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in Orange County Superior Court seeking to force Judge Ami S. Sagel to use her full middle name on the ballot.
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