California OAH special education order · June 11, 2026
Order of Disqualification
OAH Case No. 2026050528 · ALJ Laurie Gorsline
ALJ Laurie Gorsline recused herself because she received information about this case while taking evidence in a separate confidential matter, which counts as ex parte communication in this case.
Summary
Parent filed a due process complaint against East Side Union High School District, and ALJ Laurie Gorsline was assigned to the prehearing conference. On her own motion, the ALJ withdrew from the case. While taking evidence in a separate matter, she had properly received information about this case, and that information would be ex parte communication here. She could not disclose the details because the other matter is confidential, and she found that stepping aside would further the interests of justice.
Why it matters
ALJs must step aside on their own when they have learned about a case outside the proceeding, even through proper channels in another case. Parties may never learn the details when the other matter is confidential.
Key authority cited
- Gov. Code § 11512, subd. (c)
- Gov. Code § 11430.60
- Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 3084, subd. (f)
- Code Civ. Proc. § 170.1, subd. (a)(6)(A)
People named in the order
- Laurie Gorsline, Administrative Law Judge (recused)
Topics
Full text of the order
Published text of the OAH order. Page headers and numbers from the original PDF have been dropped.
BEFORE THE
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE MATTER OF:
PARENT ON BEHALF OF STUDENT,
v.
EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
OAH CASE NUMBER 2026050528
ORDER OF DISQUALIFICATION
JUNE 11, 2026
On May 8, 2026, Father filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, a Request for Due Process Hearing, called a complaint, naming Eastside Union High School District.
OAH set the prehearing conference for June 15, 2026.
On June 10, 2026, Administrative Law Judge Laurie Gorsline was assigned to the prehearing conference. An Administrative Law Judge is called an ALJ.
California Government Code section 11512 subdivision (c) provides that an ALJ shall voluntarily disqualify herself and withdraw from any case in which there are grounds for disqualification. Grounds for disqualification under subdivision (c) include receipt of ex parte communications. (See, Govt. Code § 11430.60; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5 § 3084, subd. (f).) Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(A) mandates that a judge shall be disqualified if for any reason her recusal would further the interests of justice. The issue of disqualification is determined by the ALJ. (Govt. Code § 11512, subd. (c).)
ALJ Gorsline has appropriately received communications about this case in the course of taking evidence in a separate matter which would be considered ex parte communications in this case, and is unable to disclose all facts relevant to disqualification because of the confidential nature of the other matter. ALJ Gorsline believes her recusal would further the interests of justice. Accordingly, ALJ Gorsline recuses herself from hearing this matter.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Laurie Gorsline Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Hearings