As noted, Former Supreme Court Justice Edward Panelli died on Saturday.
Former Justice Kathryn Werdegar, who succeeded Panelli on the court and who, before her appointment to the Court of Appeal, had served as Panelli’s senior staff attorney, said in an emailed statement to At The Lectern, “Justice Panelli was a wonderful judge to work for and a true human being. He had a common sense approach to the law, informed by his humble beginnings as the child of Italian immigrants who worked hard to come to this country. It was a pleasure and a privilege to serve as his staff attorney.”
Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero issued this statement: “Justice Edward Panelli served with honor and integrity over a long legal career and as a distinguished member of our California Supreme Court. His unwavering commitment to justice and fairness was rooted in his humble upbringing as the child of immigrants, earning him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the broader legal community. I extend our deepest condolences to Justice Panelli’s family and friends as we mourn the loss of a great jurist and beloved member of our court. His memory and impact on the legal community will endure.”
[July 23 update: Cheryl Miller has this obituary in The Recorder.]