This collection brings together the opening brief, the appealed rulings, and the principal trial materials. Briefs present the parties’ arguments. The court’s rulings state its findings and decisions.
Start with the opening brief
Filed October 19, 2026
Sofiya’s appellate opening brief
The brief presents Sofiya’s account of the record, her constitutional and contractual arguments, and the judgment she asks the Court of Appeal to direct. Its citations link to authorities and appendix materials.
Official Reporter’s Transcript
Read the official trial transcript
The February 24, 2026 trial testimony, including the examination of Sofiya and Max. This is the official transcript cited as RT in the opening brief.
Appellant’s Appendix
The complete appendix is provided in four PDF files. Its printed AA page numbers continue across the files. The opening brief links to the corresponding PDF pages.
Appellant’s appendix, PDF file 1 of 4
Use the appendix’s printed page numbers when following AA citations in the opening brief. The brief’s links open the corresponding PDF page.
Appellant’s appendix, PDF file 2 of 4
Use the appendix’s printed page numbers when following AA citations in the opening brief. The brief’s links open the corresponding PDF page.
Appellant’s appendix, PDF file 3 of 4
Use the appendix’s printed page numbers when following AA citations in the opening brief. The brief’s links open the corresponding PDF page.
Appellant’s appendix, PDF file 4 of 4
Use the appendix’s printed page numbers when following AA citations in the opening brief. The brief’s links open the corresponding PDF page.
Cases, Statutes, and Authorities
Browse the authorities cited in the brief
Search by name or citation, filter by source type, and open the corresponding legal materials.
Trial rulings and submissions
April 23 decision and May 12 ruling on objections, with related minute orders
The April decision and the May ruling adopting it as modified set out the court’s findings and disposition orders.
Sofiya’s trial brief
Sofiya’s account of her life, fertility treatment, and legal position before trial. Sofiya was the respondent in the trial court and is the appellant here.
Max Borenstein’s trial brief
Max Borenstein’s position on the agreements and the disputed embryos before trial.
Max Borenstein’s closing trial brief
Max’s posttrial arguments concerning the directives and reproductive interests.
Sofiya’s reply to Max’s closing trial brief
Sofiya’s response to Max’s closing arguments in the trial court.
Sofiya’s request for a statement of decision
The findings and determinations Sofiya requested from the trial court.
Sofiya’s objections to the proposed statement of decision
Sofiya’s objections to the April decision. Read with the court’s May 12 ruling.
February 24, 2026 trial transcript, public copy
The testimony at trial. This public copy has different pagination from the official appellate reporter’s transcript.
Constitutional and legislative materials
Proposition 1 voter information and ballot materials
Voter information concerning California’s 2022 reproductive-freedom amendment.
Legislative history of the Reproductive Privacy Act
A compilation of legislative materials concerning California’s Reproductive Privacy Act, available through Google Drive.
Using the record
The public trial transcript linked here uses pagination different from the official appellate transcript. For an appellate citation, use the official record references in the opening brief and check the corresponding record page.
Descriptions of the appealed orders do not establish that research donation, destruction, or transfer has occurred. The opening brief requests preservation while Sofiya’s claims are resolved.
The amicus invitation identifies issues for potential briefs and explains the filing procedure.