Appellate Evaluations, Business Litigation, Governmental, Life Sciences, Environmental, Product Liability
Justice Laurie D. Zelon's reputation precedes her as a judge with acute attention to detail in reading, preparing, and decision making. She is known for her approachability and mentorship and has often been referred to as a "salt of the earth" individual. These attributes, combined with her experience as a trial lawyer specializing in high-stakes, large-scale commercial cases, and coupled with more than 17 years on the appellate court, are tremendous assets in a variety of complex matters and appellate reviews.
On her approach to dispute resolution, Justice Zelon states, "My role as a neutral is to be an advocate for meaningful resolution by guiding individuals and organizations to understand their behavior and solve problems constructively. When people receive a hearing that they perceive as fair and conducted by a true neutral, they can resolve their dispute in a lasting manner."
With a legal career spanning more than 45 years, Justice Zelon was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2000 by then-Gov. Gray Davis, and in 2003, she was elevated to the California Second District Court of Appeal (Division Seven) until her retirement in August 2020. She joined Judicate West's neutral roster in 2022.
Justice Zelon is widely recognized for her work expanding and improving access to justice for low-income citizens. She was the founding chair of the California Commission on Access to Justice and has served on numerous California Judicial Council committees devoted to this cause.
For her dedication, Justice Zelon received the Benjamin Aranda Access to Justice Award in 2010, sponsored jointly by the Judicial Council, California Judges Association, State Bar, and California Commission on Access to Justice, and the Shattuck-Price Outstanding Attorney Award, the Los Angeles County Bar Association's highest honor, in 2009.
Laurie.zelon@judicatewest.com
714-834-1340
www.judicatewest.com/adr/laurie-zelon
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