• (1949) B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

• (1952) LL.B., University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) Order of the Coif (graduated fifth in class)

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

• Elected Superior Court Judge of Imperial County (1976) for a six-year term commencing January 1977 and re-elected for an additional two terms, totaling 18 years

• Presiding Judge, 7 years

• Presiding Family Law Calendar, 8 years

• Served on assignment as Justice of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One (summer 1990); authored four published decisions

• Assignment to San Diego Superior Court, Vista Branch (1995) and San Diego Superior Court, San Diego Branch (1996-2001), handling general trial department, including civil and civil jury and non-jury trials. Also assigned civil settlement conferences

LEGAL CAREER:

• (1955-1957) General Civil Law Practice, Los Angeles, California (concentration in tort law)

• (1957-1977) General Civil Law Practice, El Centro, California, including family law, personal injury, commercial and business litigation, administrative law and tax and estate planning

• Represented teachers in administration proceedings involving termination and related labor issues

• (1959-1971) Inheritance Tax Appraiser and Referee

• El Centro Planning Commission member for 12 years (8 years as Chairman)

ADR EXPERIENCE – MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, PRIVATE JUDGING & DISCOVERY:

• Court Appointed Referee in Complex Litigation

• 10 years as a Private Mediator

• 18 years as a Settlement Conference Judge

• Speaker on Mediation at the San Diego North County Bar Association meetings

• Numerous presentations to insurance company adjusters

ADR TRAINING:

• Numerous seminars under CJER relating to settlement conferences and mediation

• Completed a one-week course on Alternative Dispute Resolution at the National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada

• Completed a mediation course at the Straus Institute, Pepperdine School of Law (July 1995)

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

General Commercial and Business, Personal Injury, Products Liability, Insurance Coverage, Employment, Government Law, Family Law, Agricultural, Real Estate, Libel and Slander, and Civil Discovery

MILITARY SERVICE:

United States Navy, Active Duty (1953-1955)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS:

• Active Member, California Judges Association and Past Member of the Family Law Committee

• Former Member and Past President, Cow County Judges Association (comprised of Superior Court Judges from counties with four or less judges)

• Educational leadership activities: panelist at the judges annual Civil Law and Procedural Institute (1980); seminar leader at various judicial education institutes for several years; and member of the Planning Committee for annual Family Law Institutes

INTERESTS:

Enjoys traveling and reading, and he is an avid fan of college and professional baseball, basketball and football