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OUR NEUTRALS

Hon. Michael B. Rutberg, Ret.
Since 2001, Judge Rutberg has been a full time Neutral, serving as an Arbitrator, Mediator & Private Judge. He has successfully resolved all types of matters including Personal Injury, Products Liability, Business/Commercial Litigation, Construction, Real Estate, H.O.A. and Professional Malpractice. As an Arbitrator, our clients have admired his friendly, courteous, charismatic personality, his inquisitive, thorough approach and, as one of our clients commented, "His keen ability to ask the right questions to achieve a just result." As a Mediator, he has recorded an exceptionally high settlement rate, which many clients attribute to his perseverance, objectivity and work ethic. "Judge Rutberg works extremely hard to settle your case," one prominent lawyer told us. Another attorney commented, "Judge Rutberg's dedication is a credit to both himself and your company, I am pleased to have had him as a mediator."
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
  • Full time Arbitrator & Mediator (2001-Present)
  • Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court, Compton, (1996-2000)
  • Judge, Municipal Court, Citrus Judicial District, Los Angeles County (1976-96); Presiding Judge (1980-81 and 1988)
  • Associate Justice Pro Tempore, Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Five
  • Prior to appointment to the bench, served as Judge Pro Tempore, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Municipal Courts.
  • Private Law Practice, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, emphasizing Domestic Relations, Business Disputes, & Personal Injury Litigation (1969-76)
  • Associate, McKenna & Fitting, Construction & Real Estate Law (1965-69)
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Former Instructor, University of La Verne School of Law and San Fernando College of Law; Former Instructor of Business Law, California University, Northridge
  • Faculty, Municipal and Justice Court Judges Institute, California Judges Association, Indian Wells, CA (1980); Monterey, CA (1979)
  • Member, California Judges Association; Member, ADR Subcommittee
  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles (1964)
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (1961)
ADR EXPERIENCE & SPECIALTIES
  • Personal Injury
  • Products Liability
  • Business/Commercial Litigation
  • Construction
  • Real Estate
  • H.O.A.
  • Professional Malpractice
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
  • Published, California Court of Appeal Opinions; Skyway Aviation, Inc. v. Troyer (1983) 147 Cal. App 3d 604; People v. Beach 147 Cal. App 3d 612 (1983); "Revolving Door Justice Denied," San Gabriel Tribune (1979)
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • Enjoys Golf, Snow Skiing, Boating and the Theatre
LOCATIONS
  • All of Southern California


Hon. Michael B. Rutberg, Ret.
Since 2001, Judge Rutberg has been a full time Neutral, serving as an Arbitrator, Mediator & Private Judge. He has successfully resolved all types of matters including Personal Injury, Products Liability, Business/Commercial Litigation, Construction, Real Estate, H.O.A. and Professional Malpractice. As an Arbitrator, our clients have admired his friendly, courteous, charismatic personality, his inquisitive, thorough approach and, as one of our clients commented, "His keen ability to ask the right questions to achieve a just result." As a Mediator, he has recorded an exceptionally high settlement rate, which many clients attribute to his perseverance, objectivity and work ethic. "Judge Rutberg works extremely hard to settle your case," one prominent lawyer told us. Another attorney commented, "Judge Rutberg's dedication is a credit to both himself and your company, I am pleased to have had him as a mediator."
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
  • Full time Arbitrator & Mediator (2001-Present)
  • Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court, Compton, (1996-2000)
  • Judge, Municipal Court, Citrus Judicial District, Los Angeles County (1976-96); Presiding Judge (1980-81 and 1988)
  • Associate Justice Pro Tempore, Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Five
  • Prior to appointment to the bench, served as Judge Pro Tempore, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Municipal Courts.
  • Private Law Practice, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, emphasizing Domestic Relations, Business Disputes, & Personal Injury Litigation (1969-76)
  • Associate, McKenna & Fitting, Construction & Real Estate Law (1965-69)
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Former Instructor, University of La Verne School of Law and San Fernando College of Law; Former Instructor of Business Law, California University, Northridge
  • Faculty, Municipal and Justice Court Judges Institute, California Judges Association, Indian Wells, CA (1980); Monterey, CA (1979)
  • Member, California Judges Association; Member, ADR Subcommittee
  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles (1964)
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (1961)
ADR EXPERIENCE & SPECIALTIES
  • Personal Injury
  • Products Liability
  • Business/Commercial Litigation
  • Construction
  • Real Estate
  • H.O.A.
  • Professional Malpractice
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
  • Published, California Court of Appeal Opinions; Skyway Aviation, Inc. v. Troyer (1983) 147 Cal. App 3d 604; People v. Beach 147 Cal. App 3d 612 (1983); "Revolving Door Justice Denied," San Gabriel Tribune (1979)
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • Enjoys Golf, Snow Skiing, Boating and the Theatre
LOCATIONS
  • All of Southern California