ARTICLE · 09 JUNE 2014

The Ombudsperson Program

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The Northern District of California now offers an Ombudsperson Program through which members of the NDCA Bar may confidentially communicate feedback.

United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Howard S. Altarescu

Edward G. Eisert

Douglas S. Mintz

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The Northern District of California (NDCA) now offers an Ombudsperson Program through which members of the NDCA Bar may confidentially communicate feedback and concerns regarding the Court or individual judges. Retired Judges Fern M. Smith and James Kleinberg have volunteered to serve as the Court's Ombudspersons.

This program will provide an informal and confidential process for addressing concerns members of the NDCA Bar may have regarding the judges of the Court. It will allow individuals to address the issues that can be handled informally and are not likely to produce a formal misconduct complaint. Attorneys simply need to raise their concerns by writing, emailing or telephoning either Ombudsperson.

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