Judicate West

Congratulations to Judicate West Neutral Justice M. Bruce Smith, Ret., and all of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)'s newest members! These members were voted into ABOTA at the National Board Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, October 17, 2026. We’re proud to celebrate those who champion civility, professionalism, and the pursuit of justice in the legal community. #JudicateWest #ABOTA #AmericanBoardofTrialAdvocates #LegalCivility #ADR #Mediation

Good intentions don’t always settle an ethics question in mediation. Johanna Bracy, a full-time mediator on the Judicate West panel, handles employment, business and contract, complex tort, and interpersonal disputes. A former Chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s ADR Section, she joins the Session 5 panel at the 2026 California ADR Forum. 🗓️ Session 5: Ethical Issues in Mediation ⏰ Friday, November 6, 2026 | 1:45 – 2:45 PM PST 📍 2026 California ADR Forum | Morrison Foerster, 425 Market Street, San Francisco ✅ MCLE: 1.0 Hour Legal Ethics The panel works through real-world scenarios on confidentiality, conflicts of interest, neutrality, and counsel’s duties, with plenty of room for audience discussion. Speakers: - Johanna Bracy, Judicate West - Nicholas Connon, Managing Partner, Connon Wood - John Derrick, John Derrick ADR - Hon. Kathleen Kelly (Ret.), ADR Services, Inc. The full-day forum offers 7.0 hours of MCLE, including legal ethics, civility, and technology credits. Register now: https://hubs.la/Q04C5DNF0 #ADR #Mediation #LegalEthics #CaliforniaLawyers #MCLE

📣 There’s still time to register! Join Judicate West tomorrow for our upcoming MCLE program and gain valuable insights, earn MCLE credit, and connect with fellow legal professionals. Registration is still open. We look forward to having you with us!

🎤 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐮𝐬? How is opposing counsel evaluating your case? What factors shape their assessment of settlement value versus trial risk? Join the Ventura County Bar Association (California) ADR Section for an insightful MCLE webinar featuring experienced mediators, including Judicate West neutral Michael Strauss, as they share firsthand perspectives on the conversations, dynamics, and strategic considerations that influence mediation outcomes. 📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026 🕛 12:00–1:00 PM 💻 Remote via Zoom Learn more and register on the VCBA website. #JudicateWest #Mediation #ADR #MCLE #LegalProfessionals #VenturaCountyBar #DisputeResolution

Judicate West is proud to sponsor the 4th Annual Judge Frances Muñoz Celebration, hosted by the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers and Opening Doors,” celebrates the journeys, leadership, and impact of Orange County’s Latina judges. We are honored to have Judicate West Neutral Judge Aguirre deliver the opening remarks as we come together to recognize these inspiring leaders and the paths they continue to pave for others. 📅 October 27, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. 📍 Santa Ana College We look forward to an evening of meaningful conversation, connection, and celebration. #JudicateWest #OCHBA #AlternativeDisputeResolution #Leadership #DiversityInTheLegalProfession #OrangeCountyHispanicBar

📢 Our latest episode of 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒆, the podcast from Judicate West, is now live! Watch or listen to Episode 7: https://lnkd.in/gsS3iwew 🎙 Episode 7: Trial Advocacy & Justice In this week’s episode, host and Judicate West Neutral Dan Grunfeld, sits down with Duane Lyons, former federal prosecutor and longtime partner at Quinn Emanuel, to discuss the art of trial advocacy and the pursuit of justice. This conversation explores: · The qualities that distinguish exceptional trial lawyers · How credibility, courtroom presence, and storytelling build juror trust · The responsibilities of trial lawyers in pursuing justice · Lyons’ experiences as a Black attorney in big law and the importance of mentorship Through decades of courtroom insight and personal experience, Lyons shares valuable lessons on effective advocacy, professional responsibility, and creating opportunities for the next generation of lawyers. Stay tuned for more episodes of 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒆, featuring influential voices from across the legal profession. #JudicateWest #ResultsBeyondDispute #LegalPodcast #TrialAdvocacy #AccessToJustice #TrialLawyers #LegalNews

We are pleased to share that Judicate West Neutral Johanna Bracy will speak at the California Lawyers Association 2026 California ADR Forum. Johanna will join Session 5: 𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, exploring confidentiality, conflicts of interest, mediator neutrality, and counsel’s ethical obligations through interactive hypotheticals and audience discussion. 🗓️ November 6, 2026 🕐 1:45–2:45 PM PST 📍 San Francisco, California #JudicateWest #CaliforniaADRForum #Mediation #LegalEthics #ADR #CaliforniaLawyersAssociation

Get ready to raise your stein and network! Join our Oktoberfest Membership Mixer hosted by Judicate West for a great opportunity to step away from the office, socialize, and enjoy a little Oktoberfest cheer with the San Diego legal community. RSVP on our website! 🎃🍻

Judicate West is delighted to host a special evening alongside the San Diego Defense Lawyers Board! Join us for networking, cocktails, and conversation. 📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026 🕠 5:30 PM 📍 Topside Terrace at Hotel Republic, San Diego We look forward to seeing you there! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gAQQvcp6 #JudicateWest #SanDiegoDefenseLawyers #SDLegalCommunity #ADR #Mediation #SanDiegoLawyers

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? In his recently published Daily Journal Corporation article, “𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑰 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏,” Judicate West Neutral Doug deVries (https://lnkd.in/g-XAG5jY) explores the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in dispute resolution. Doug examines important considerations surrounding AI, including bias, accuracy, and the complexities of human behavior, offering his perspective on the role of technology in a field where judgment, empathy, and interpersonal dynamics play a critical role. As AI continues to evolve, his insights contribute to an important conversation about the intersection of technology and the human element of mediation. We’re proud to see Doug featured in the Daily Journal and to have his experience and insight contributing to this evolving discussion. 📰 Read Doug’s article in the Daily Journal (subscription required): https://lnkd.in/gw-skpZz #DailyJournal #LegalNews #Mediation #ADR #AI #AIinMediation