Big Law Leaders Share What to Watch in 2026: California Brief

At the new year, many of us reflect on the one we’ve just finished and plan for the next.

I’m Rachel Leven, the California Brief’s editor. I asked Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Michael Celio and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s Jason Russell to share what they saw 2025’s key court decisions, industry trends that lawyers in the Golden State should know, and what to watch in 2026.

Editor’s Note: New Year’s content may be best absorbed with a glass of champagne or sparkling cider. (I know it’s Jan. 2. I don’t make the rules.)

Photographer: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg

Last year was all ...