Hon. S. James Otero (Ret.)

Following a distinguished career of nearly thirty years on the bench, this neutral entered private practice in 2020. His judicial tenure includes seventeen years as a United States District Judge for the Central District of California and over a decade in the California state court system. He has presided over thousands of cases across diverse legal sectors, including high-profile intellectual property, class action, and commercial litigation. Before his judicial appointments, he spent over a decade as an attorney for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and served as regional counsel for a major transportation company.

A highly experienced former federal judge with deep expertise in intellectual property and complex commercial disputes, suitable for high-stakes mediation and arbitration.

Held a seat on the federal bench for 17 years and is recognized for handling some of the most complex intellectual property and class action matters in the Central District of California.

He is regarded by legal professionals for his meticulous preparation, deep understanding of federal procedure, and a fair but firm approach to managing complex litigation and settlement negotiations.