Angels in the Courthouse, Part II.

We are approaching the "ninth inning" with respect to Anaheim's effort to block the Angels' name change to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

According to the Fourth District Court of Appeal's website, the Angels have been ordered to "show cause...why a writ of mandate should not issue commanding the superior court to set aside its order of January 21, 2005 which denied petitioner's motion for a preliminary injunction". In other words, the Court appears primed to set aside the trial court's order and wants to know what reasons, if any, the Angels have to prevent this order. The briefs have been submitted to the appellate court; and the Fourth District has indicated no further evidence or briefing need be submitted.

Nevertheless, the Angels have requested the opportunity to submit additional "evidence", the City has opposed, and the Court has not yet ruled on this request. (In addition, just today, the Court has granted a MSM request to broadcast the hearing).

The oral argument on this "order to show cause" is set for Monday, March 28, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. The Court has also announced the three-justice panel assigned to hear this case: Justices Sills, Aronson and O'Leary. I have appeared before all of these judges. My read is that this panel is favorable to the City, especially Justice Sills who writes with unusual clarity, common sense, and wit.

Your legal correspondent will attempt to attend and provide a summary that same day. Stay tuned.