Courtly Jubilee Celebrates Judge Callahan’s 20 Years on the Ninth Circuit

By Brendan J. Begley

King Charles’ Coronation in London was not the only earthly place that exhibited majestic pageantry on May 6, 2023. On this side of the Atlantic Ocean, over 100 guests donning formalwear gathered that evening at the elegant Wine & Roses hotel and restaurant in Lodi, California, for a jubilee to celebrate a prodigious milestone. Specifically, they came together to cheer the Hon. Consuelo M. “Connie” Callahan for laudably serving for 20 years as an active judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

It may have been one of the first events of its kind that Judge Cal- lahan did not know about beforehand. That was no accident, since her former law clerks who planned the fete collaborated with her husband, Randy, to make it a surprise party.

Randy reportedly told Judge Callahan to wear something “extra, extra special” (the extra “extra” likely being needed given her acclaim as a fashion maven who is always fabulously dressed). He allegedly persuaded her that such apparel was in order because he was taking her “to a nice restaurant to see an opera singer.” His ruse turned out to be true, as one of Judge Callahan’s former clerks, Courtney L. Daniels

(California Department of Tax and Fee Administration), is a trained opera singer who, accompanied by a piano and bass duo, serenaded the crowd with a heart-stirring melody.

“I am just so overwhelmed and grateful to all of you for this,” Judge Callahan effusively told her guests. “Some of you came from so far and, I mean, who comes back after 20 years,” she observed, seemingly referencing three of her four inaugural law clerks from 2003-2004 who attended. One of her inaugural clerks, Stephen D. Robinson (U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission), traveled from Washing- ton, DC. Likewise, other former law clerks and externs who served in her chambers during subsequent years came from places throughout California and as distant as Florida and New Jersey.

While quite numerous, the honoree’s former clerks and externs were not alone in springing the big surprise. Members of Judge Callahan’s family came from out of town to await her unsuspecting arrival at the ornate ballroom, including her sister, son, daughter and niece. Once everyone was seated for dinner, the Rev. John J. M. Foster (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton) delivered an invocation and prayed for Judge Callahan’s continued good health, wisdom and mercy.

Some of the many ways that Judge Callahan has exemplified the traits of wisdom and mercy for decades as a careful, no-nonsense jurist were outlined in presentations delivered by two of her former clerks, James S. “Jimmy” Azadian (Dykema Gossett PLLC, Los Angeles, CA) and Leah Spero (Spero Law Office, San Francisco, CA). They reminded attendees of the telling quips that Judge Callahan would occasionally repeat in chambers.

For example, they recounted Judge Callahan’s inclination both to recite and adhere to something a former colleague once told her: “Nobody is as bad as the worst thing they’ve ever done.” Many of her clerks and externs noted that, while being merciful, the honored judge has a solid reputation for holding those who appear before her accountable in the proper measure for the things they’ve done.

Prominent Stockton trial attorney Albert M. “Al” Ellis (Hakeem Ellis & Marengo), a longtime friend of Judge Callahan and her family, gave a moving tribute to her. Having spoken publicly at Judge Cal- lahan’s Ninth Circuit investiture in 2003, Mr. Ellis commented on how she was then and consistently remains a credit to the judiciary, a dear friend, and a wonderful human being.

Judge Callahan’s warm, playful and fun-loving side – and her exquisite fashion sense and skillful dance moves – did not remain sequestered in chambers but were on full display that evening. Standing before the crowd in her shimmering outfit, she confessed to counseling her clerks and externs on various occasions that they “can be smart and still wear great shoes!” Then she and her husband took a dazzling turn on the dance floor.

The committee of former clerks who organized the surprise shindig was spearheaded by Mr. Azadian and Ms. Spero. It additionally included Michele M. Beckwith (U.S. Attorney’s Office), Teri L. Block (California State Personnel Board), Scott Cameron (Weintraub Tobin), Jinnifer Pitcher (California Department of Justice), and the author of this article. Scores of other former clerks and externs (too numerous to name) made substantial supplementary contributions to the celebration.

An impressive array of dignitaries was on hand that night, including the Hon. Morrison C. England, Jr. (U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California), former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California McGregor W. “Greg” Scott (King & Spalding), the Hon. Shama Hakim Mesiwala (California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District), the Hon. Erin Guy Castillo and the Hon. Barbara

Kronlund (San Joaquin County Superior Court), San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, University of the Pacific (“UOP”) Regent Dr. Virginia Chan, former UOP Regent Dr. Tony Chan, and UOP President Christopher Callahan

Notably, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sent a special letter that Mr. Azadian read to Judge Callahan and the crowd. In that letter, Justice Thomas congratulated Judge Callahan on her milestone.

Likewise, video-recorded messages were played from two of Judge Callahan’s federal-court colleagues who could not attend in person. The Ninth Circuit’s chief judge, the Hon. Mary H. Murguia, conveyed what a wonderful colleague she has found in Judge Callahan. At the same time, the Hon. Richard C. Tallman, who was appointed to the Ninth Circuit shortly before Judge Callahan, recalled his joy in helping her to become acquainted with the federal appellate court two decades ago.

Before being appointed to the Ninth Circuit by then U.S. President George H.W. Bush and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 2003, Judge Callahan had served for seven years as an associate justice at the California Court of Appeal for the Third Appellate District. Thus, it was fitting that the former presiding justice of that court, the Hon. Arthur G. Scotland (ret.), also appeared via a recorded video clip to offer a heartfelt toast thanking her for their long friendship and for her stellar judicial service.

“Not only are you a respected [federal] circuit judge, you were admired as a skilled trial judge and Court of Appeal justice in the state of California,” Justice Scotland happily recounted. “And your contributions to the rule of law extend beyond the bench, as you have been an inspirational mentor to many law students and young attorneys who have benefited greatly from your wisdom and advice.”

From all this, coupled with other details from her background, it would seem that Judge Callahan was born to be a high-sitting judge. Her legal career started (after graduating from UOP’s McGeorge School of Law) as a deputy city attorney for the City of Stockton. From there, she became a prose- cutor for over 10 years at the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office. She then ascended to the bench as a commissioner for the Stockton Municipal Court and was elevated to the position of judge on the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Multiple attendees that evening observed that Judge Callahan has moved through it all with the grace of the dancer she is, demonstrating a commitment to justice, an exceptional work ethic, community mindedness and delightful collegiality. She is renowned for adding her own special flair of expecting high standards and obtaining them through firm and clear direction in tandem with warmth and kindness.

It is fair to conclude that all the guests – as well as so many of Judge Callahan’s family members, friends and former and current colleagues who could not be there that evening – were both pleased and inspired by her many successes and well-deserved accolades. Paraphrasing the traditional sentiment proclaimed at the coronation in England earlier that day, some guests earnestly implored, “Long live Judge Callahan!”