[5] He was known for his January 22, 1970 decision ordering Pasadena Unified School District to adopt a plan to correct racial imbalance at all levels.

"It is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the defendants, Pasadena City Board of Education, Mrs. LuVerne LaMotte, Albert C. Lowe, Bradford C. Houser, John T. Welsh, and Joseph J. Engholm, as members of the Pasadena City Board of Education, and Ralph W. Hornbeck, as Superintendent of Schools ... are enjoined from discriminating of the basis of race ... in the operation of the district."

"[6] The board of education and the superintendent adopted a forced busing plan to meet the new legal mandate.

[8][9] In November 2012 it was reported that Real had shown a pattern of making rulings in favor of companies in which he owned stock.

[10] Real overturned the conviction of four men who conspired to rob a fictional cocaine stash house in a governmental reverse sting operation, citing outrageous government conduct.

[11] On April 12, 2018, Real ruled that the Justice Department cannot require police forces to comply with its immigration enforcement criteria in order to receive funding.