Burt Pines
Encyclopedia
Burt Pines is a California
attorney and politician. He served as Los Angeles City Attorney
from 1973 to 1981 and has served as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court
since 2003.
and then from the New York University Law School.
in 1973 and served two terms in office. He declined to run for a third term in 1981, instead endorsing Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Ronka
.
In 1978, Pines was considered the early front-runner in the Democratic primary for California Attorney General
, but lost the primary race to Congresswoman Yvonne Braithwaite Burke.
In December 1998, incoming California Governor
Gray Davis
selected Pines to serve as his judicial appointments secretary.
against Governor Gray Davis would be certified and while still serving as judicial appointments secretary, Pines himself applied for a judgeship. The recall election was certified on July 23, and during the October special election voters recalled Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger
as the new governor. On November 11, 2003, as one of the many appointments during his final days in office, Davis appointed Pines to the Los Angeles County Superior Court
. Pines filled the vacancy created when Judge Laurie Zelon was elevated to the California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles County.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
attorney and politician. He served as Los Angeles City Attorney
Los Angeles City Attorney
The Los Angeles City Attorney is an elected official whose job is to prosecute all of the misdemeanor criminal offenses within the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. The General Counsel Division of the office provides legal counsel for the city by either defending the city or acting...
from 1973 to 1981 and has served as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court
Superior Court of Los Angeles County
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County is the Superior Court located in Los Angeles County. It is the largest single unified trial court in the United States....
since 2003.
Early life and education
Pines was born Burt Landeau, the only child of Charles Landeau and Ruth Pines. His parents divorced when Pines was a year old, and his mother changed his name to Pines shortly thereafter. Pines graduated from the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and then from the New York University Law School.
Political career
Pines was elected Los Angeles City AttorneyLos Angeles City Attorney
The Los Angeles City Attorney is an elected official whose job is to prosecute all of the misdemeanor criminal offenses within the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. The General Counsel Division of the office provides legal counsel for the city by either defending the city or acting...
in 1973 and served two terms in office. He declined to run for a third term in 1981, instead endorsing Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Ronka
Bob Ronka
Bob Ronka was a member of the Los Angeles City Council from the San Fernando Valley's 1st District between 1977 and 1981. For a brief time he represented Leslie Van Houten in the Manson Family criminal murder case.-Biography:...
.
In 1978, Pines was considered the early front-runner in the Democratic primary for California Attorney General
California Attorney General
The California Attorney General is the State Attorney General of California. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced" The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice.The...
, but lost the primary race to Congresswoman Yvonne Braithwaite Burke.
In December 1998, incoming California Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
Gray Davis
Gray Davis
Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003...
selected Pines to serve as his judicial appointments secretary.
Judicial service
In June 2003, when it appeared almost certain that a recall electionRecall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
against Governor Gray Davis would be certified and while still serving as judicial appointments secretary, Pines himself applied for a judgeship. The recall election was certified on July 23, and during the October special election voters recalled Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
as the new governor. On November 11, 2003, as one of the many appointments during his final days in office, Davis appointed Pines to the Los Angeles County Superior Court
Superior Court of Los Angeles County
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County is the Superior Court located in Los Angeles County. It is the largest single unified trial court in the United States....
. Pines filled the vacancy created when Judge Laurie Zelon was elevated to the California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles County.