A Los Angeles judge on Thursday certified a class of more than 3,000 active and retired California state judges who allege they were illegally deprived of salary increases in the years following the 2008 recession.
Judge Elihu Berle granted certification from the bench during a hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Berle, a potential class member in the case, is overseeing the case under the doctrine of necessity, said Raoul Kennedy, of counsel to the Palo Alto office of New York-based Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He represents the named plaintiff, former Second District Court of Appeal Justice Robert Mallano.
