Hon. Elwood M. Rich (Ret.) T: 310.203.8200 F: 310.203.8211

EDUCATION:

• B.A., Duke University, 1943

• J.D., University of Illinois, 1946

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

• (1971-1980) Judge, Superior Court, Riverside County

• (1953-1971) Judge, Municipal Court, Riverside County
  

LEGAL & ACADEMIC CAREER:

• (1947-1953) Private Civil Law Practice, Riverside County

• (1947-1953) Deputy District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, Riverside County

• (1971-Present) Founder and Dean, California Southern Law School, Riverside County
  

ADR EXPERIENCE:

• (1981-Present) Full-time arbitrator and mediator

• (1984-Present) Sole practitioner in arbitration and mediation, under contract with the Riverside Superior Court in Riverside to mediate (hold settlement conferences) on all civil cases, trial length of which are estimated to be over one day. Mediated to a settlement 69% of the cases for the Superior Court. Arbitrated and mediated thousands of cases of all types.
  

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Contracts, Construction Defects, Trusts and Estates, Employment, Labor Law, Personal Injury, Real Estate/ Property, Elder Law, Family Law, Health care, Professional Malpractice, Business/Commercial, and Complex Litigation.

HONORS / AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS:

• Member, California Judges’ Association

• Member, State Bar of California

• Member, Riverside County Bar Association

• Received “Judge of the Year” Award twice from Riverside County Bar (1979 & 1986) due to his success in mediating cases to a settlement.
  

PUBLICATIONS:

Author, Mediation, published by CJER (Center for Judicial Education and Research) and used by the State Bar in its CEB programs on mediation

Download Judge Rich's Profile (PDF)