California OAH special education order · August 12, 2026
Order of Disqualification
OAH Case No. 2026050590 · ALJ Laurie Gorsline
ALJ Laurie Gorsline recused herself from the case, finding that recusal would further the interests of justice and that there was substantial doubt about her ability to be impartial.
Summary
ALJ Laurie Gorsline was assigned to the August 14, 2026 prehearing conference and the hearing set to begin August 25, 2026. On her own initiative, she disqualified herself under Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6). She found that recusal would further the interests of justice, that there was substantial doubt she could be impartial, and that a person aware of the facts might reasonably doubt her impartiality. The order does not say what facts led to the recusal.
Why it matters
ALJs can and do step aside on their own when their impartiality could reasonably be questioned. Parents do not have to bring a motion for that to happen, and the case will be reassigned to a different judge.
Key authority cited
- Code Civ. Proc. § 170.1, subd. (a)(6)(A)
- Code Civ. Proc. § 170.1, subd. (a)(6)(B)
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:
PARENTS ON BEHALF OF STUDENT,
v.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
OAH CASE NUMBER 2026050590
ORDER OF DISQUALIFICATION
AUGUST 12, 2026
On August 12, 2026, Administrative Law Judge Laurie Gorsline was assigned by the Office of Administrative Hearings to the prehearing conference in this matter set for August 14, 2026, and the hearing set to begin on August 25, 2026. An Administrative Law Judge is called an ALJ.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(A) mandates that a judge shall be disqualified if for any reason:
(i) The judge believes his or her recusal would further the interests of justice.
(ii) The judge believes there is a substantial doubt as to his or her capacity to be impartial.
(iii) A person aware of the facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that the judge would be able to be impartial.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(B) also provides that bias or prejudice toward a lawyer in the proceeding may be grounds for disqualification.
ALJ Gorsline believes her recusal would further the interests of justice, that there is substantial doubt ALJ Gorsline can be impartial in this matter, and that a person aware of the facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that ALJ Gorsline would be able to be impartial. Accordingly, ALJ Gorsline recuses herself from hearing this matter.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Laurie Gorsline Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Hearings