Ralph J. Gampell

Chief Justice Bird appointed Ralph J. Gampell as the second Administrative Director. Mr. Gampell, a native of Great Britain and a physician, also was a member of the California Bar, practicing in San Jose. He was serving as president of the State Bar when appointed Administrative Director in 1977.

In 1979, the Special Committee on the Courts and the Media was appointed to consider the question of media coverage of court proceedings. The council adopted an experimental rule specifying a trial period of media recording and photographic coverage beginning on July 1, 1980, after which the effects of this coverage would be evaluated. This study culminated in the adoption of new rule 980 (Photographing, recording, and broadcasting in court), replacing the old rule 980 along with several other rules. The new rule, which took effect on July 1, 1984, allowed media coverage of criminal and civil courtroom proceedings at the trial and appellate levels.

Bird praised Gampell as a “trailblazer in the legal and judicial profession,” noting that as State Bar president, he helped lead early efforts to encourage lawyers to offer pro bono services to those unable to afford counsel.

Gampell retired following the election in 1986 at which Chief Justice Bird was not retained in office.