California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Ex-Justice Broussard to Join Law Firm

Former Justice Allen E. Broussard, who retired in August after 10 years on the state Supreme Court, will become a partner in the San Francisco law firm of Coblentz, Cahen, McCabe & Breyer. Broussard, 62, said in a statement he had received “several very attractive offers” but chose to join the firm because it “offers me the best opportunity to achieve my new goals and aspirations of the law.” Only the second black member of the high court, Broussard will continue to serve as co-chair of a special judicial committee on race and ethnic bias in the courts. Senior partner William K. Coblentz, former chairman of the UC Board of Regents and long active in Democratic Party politics, said he expected Broussard to “contribute significantly” to the firm’s trial and appellate practice. The 30-member firm lists among its clients Pacific Telesis, PG&E;, Wells Fargo Bank, the San Francisco Examiner and development firms Catellus Corp. and Olympia and York.