[1] Pines was elected Los Angeles City Attorney in 1973 and served two terms in office.

[2] He declined to run for a third term in 1981, instead endorsing Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Ronka.

[3] In December 1998, incoming California Governor Gray Davis selected Pines to serve as his judicial appointments secretary.

[4] In June 2003, when it appeared almost certain that a recall election against Governor Gray Davis would be certified and while still serving as judicial appointments secretary, Pines himself applied for a judgeship.

[6] Pines filled the vacancy created when Judge Laurie Zelon was elevated to the California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles County.