About
Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye joins ADR Services, Inc. after an impressive judiciary career marked by extraordinary leadership and trailblazing initiatives. As the former leader of California’s judicial branch of government and chair of the Judicial Council, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye managed to successfully steer the court through two massive crises — the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, all the while fostering a culture of collaboration and collegiality on the bench, improving access to justice, and educating the public on the importance of the third branch of government. Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye made history and became the first woman of color, the first Asian-Filipina American, and the second woman to serve as the state’s Chief Justice.
During her twelve remarkable years at the helm of the state’s Supreme Court, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye emerged as one of the country’s leading advocates for equal access to justice, transparency, and the reform of state court funding models that unfairly impact low-income individuals. The Chief Justice was a leader in revitalizing civic learning through her Power of Democracy Civil Learning Initiative, which was developed to inform the public about how the courts, both federal and state, play a key role in the state government. In an effort to improve transparency, when she became Chief Justice, she opened meetings of the Judicial Council and its advisory bodies that were once closed to the public and made public comment more accessible.
In March 2020, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye issued a series of emergency orders to temporarily suspend jury trials, extend statutory deadlines, and allow court proceedings to be conducted remotely. She worked closely with other leaders in the California court system and across the United States to develop and implement best practices for conducting court proceedings during the pandemic. This has included providing guidance on how to conduct remote hearings, ensuring that court facilities are properly sanitized, and making personal protective equipment available to court employees and visitors. Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye currently serves as the President and CEO of Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), an independent, nonpartisan research think tank for the public interest, which provides data-driven, nonpartisan research that sparks productive conversations to inspire policy solutions for California’s challenges. With ADR Services, Inc., she is available for Mediations, Case Evaluations, Consultations, Moot Courts, and Mock Trials.