Daily Journal recognized in 12 California Journalism Awards, including for best podcasts

The Daily Journal won 12 California Journalism Awards for work published in 2025, including a first-place honor for the podcast "The Law of Rebuilding LA," hosted by Howard Miller.

The annual contest is conducted by the California News Publishers Association.

The Daily Journal swept the Best Podcast category. "The Law of Rebuilding LA" placed first, "In the Counsel's Chair: David Kaye on Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age" placed second, and "In the Counsel's Chair: Daralyn Durie on Building a Law Firm" placed third.

Launched shortly after the January 2025 wildfires, "The Law of Rebuilding LA" was a limited series that brought together prominent insurance, land use and other attorneys, along with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, who discussed lessons from the Lahaina fires. The series examined the legal challenges facing Los Angeles as the region began recovering from the Eaton and Palisades fires.

"In the Counsel's Chair" is an ongoing podcast in which Associate Editor Jack Needham interviews major figures in the legal industry about the issues they are confronting.

"These awards reflect the depth and ambition of the Daily Journal's journalism," said Paul Ingegneri, the newspaper's general manager. "'The Law of Rebuilding LA' and 'In the Counsel's Chair' are exactly the kind of projects we want to do -- timely, substantive and useful to lawyers and policymakers trying to understand the most complex issues of our time."

Miller, a Daily Journal contributing editor and host of "The Law of Rebuilding LA," said the award "was truly a tribute to the Daily Journal for supporting all its podcasts."

In other categories, "A decade after San Bernardino: A reporter reflects on the day violence hit home" placed second in Writing, and "Eaton and Palisades Fire litigation strained courts in 2025" placed second in Wildfire News Coverage.

In In-Depth Reporting, "Public defenders and prosecutors warn of crisis fueled by Prop 36" placed third, while a combined entry consisting of "Attorney's email ordering evidence destroyed is not protected by privilege" and "Sanctions request filed against Lewis Brisbois in mansion dispute" placed fifth.

"Courts grapple with copyright limits as AI training lawsuits surge" placed third in Technology Reporting.

A trio of editorials placed third in Editorial Comment: "The unitary executive needs a legislative counterweight," "To restore separation of powers, start with who becomes a judge" and "Revive the Ethics in Government Act."

The Daily Journal also received recognition in print categories. "Salute to Veterans" placed second in Print Special Section. The Editorial Page placed fourth in Print Inside Page Layout & Design, and the Top Real Estate Lawyers, Top Family Lawyers and Top Professional Responsibility Lawyers award editions placed fourth in Print Special Section Cover.

The winning entries reflected the Daily Journal's coverage of California courts, the Legislature, the legal profession, technology, wildfires and public policy. The awards were announced over the past week. All of the publication's entries competed against newspapers of comparable size.

The winning entries are available at dailyjournal.com.