My Personal Experiences

As an Attorney for 25 years, I have represented defendants and plaintiffs in cases covering a wide variety of legal issues. I have been in the courtroom on several thousand occasions and have conducted 116 trials.  I have settled thousands of cases without culminating in a trial. I understand the law and legal systems incredibly well and am extremely comfortable in this environment.

Volunteering as a temporary judge, being a certified judge for Military Summary Courts Martial and as a Superior Court Arbitrator, I have listened to parties express grievances, have interpreted the laws, and handed down fair rulings to bring an end to arguments and difference of opinions, and to settle legal issues. I handled civil cases, traffic and small claims court cases.  I have practiced law in state and federal court systems.

Working in the legal system is my passion and seeking fairness in the courtroom is my forte.

My Qualifications

The most important qualification is my ability to be fair.  As long as I can remember, I have always been appointed as a ‘judge, an umpire, a mediator” by my peers because of my ability to be impartial and fair. In my youth, I was recognized for my ability to be fair and be the peacemaker. It is a natural talent I have woven into my career from the beginning, and would universally continue it in my role as a Judge.

I am admitted to practice law before the California Supreme Court, United States District Court for Central District of California, United States Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit, the Court of Appeals for the US Military, The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the United States Supreme Court and all courts in the State of California. I have argued cases in the highest courts in the military and civil justice courts (at state and federal levels).

Education

University of West Los Angeles, Juris Doctorate
University of Southern California, Bachelor of Arts
University of Tulsa
Northwestern University
University of Virginia SOL/JAG (NR)

Recognition Received

7 Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition
Certificate of Special Recognition, California State Senate
Certificate of Special Recognition, Los Angeles City Counsel
Certificate of Special Recognition, Downey City Counsel
Certificate as California Elector to the Electoral College 2000

2008 Judge Advocate General of the Year (CSMR)
National Defense Medal
California Medal of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
California Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
California Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
California Longevity Service Medal
California State Service Ribbon with Numeral Device Number 2

Military Qualification Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster

Drill Attendance Ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Emergency Service Training Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster

California Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster
Adjutant General Meritorious Unit Commendation
Commanding General Meritorious Unit Commendation with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters