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OUR NEUTRALS

James E. Chodzko, Esq.
Prior to becoming a full time neutral in 2000, Mr. Chodzko spent 23 years as a civil litigator. His practice was devoted to representation of entities and individuals involved in, but not limited to Insurance Coverage, Legal Malpractice, Serious Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Business, Construction Defect, Design Professional and Environmental claims throughout his legal career. Mr. Chodzko has gained extensive trial experience representing property owners, developers, design professionals, subcontractors, insiders and insurers. He is well recognized for his knowledge and expertise in matters involving insurance coverage issues. He has also served as an arbitrator on Business Disputes, Legal Malpractice claims, Contract Disputes and Construction claims. One attorney noted, “To go along with his great demeanor and overall sense of fairness, he is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and grasps the issues quickly." Many attorneys concur about his great demeanor and overall sense of fairness.
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
  • Full time Mediator and Arbitrator (2000-Present)
  • Arbitrator for American Arbitration Association, Large, Complex Case Panel, Commercial and Construction panel (2000-present)
  • Special Master and Mediator for Civil Disputes pending in California, Nevada and Arizona (1985-2000)
  • Private Law Practice, representing prominent real estate developers, including The Irvine Company, The Fieldstone Companies, California Pacific Homes and Shapell Development Company (1984-96)
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • J. D., California Western School of Law (1977)
  • B. A., Political Science and History, Whittier College (1972)
  • Mediation Training, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Mediating the Litigated Case
  • Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (1992)
  • Prolific author and lecturer for the Continuing Education for the State Bar of California, The National Institute of Trial Advocacy, The San Diego and American Inns of Court
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, Civil Litigation and Trial Practice, University of San Diego
  • Many additional teaching and lecturing activities with universities, bar associations and Continuing Education of the Bar; author of numerous published writings.
ADR EXPERIENCE & SPECIALTIES
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
  • Product Liability
  • Construction Defect
  • Design Professional and Environmental Claims
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
  • Published in Landmark Opinion, Markborough California, Inc. v. Superior Court (1992) 227 Cal. App 3d 705; Standard Pacific v. A. A. Baxter (1986) 176 Cal. App. 3d 577
  • Appeared in trial for Woodward, Clyde and Associates in the Landmark Supreme Court decision in Tech Built v. Woodward, Clyde and Associates (1983) 38 Cal. 3d 488
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • In his spare time, Mr. Chodzko enjoys European travel, water skiing and Dodger Baseball.
LOCATIONS
  • San Diego County


James E. Chodzko, Esq.
Prior to becoming a full time neutral in 2000, Mr. Chodzko spent 23 years as a civil litigator. His practice was devoted to representation of entities and individuals involved in, but not limited to Insurance Coverage, Legal Malpractice, Serious Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Business, Construction Defect, Design Professional and Environmental claims throughout his legal career. Mr. Chodzko has gained extensive trial experience representing property owners, developers, design professionals, subcontractors, insiders and insurers. He is well recognized for his knowledge and expertise in matters involving insurance coverage issues. He has also served as an arbitrator on Business Disputes, Legal Malpractice claims, Contract Disputes and Construction claims. One attorney noted, “To go along with his great demeanor and overall sense of fairness, he is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and grasps the issues quickly." Many attorneys concur about his great demeanor and overall sense of fairness.
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
  • Full time Mediator and Arbitrator (2000-Present)
  • Arbitrator for American Arbitration Association, Large, Complex Case Panel, Commercial and Construction panel (2000-present)
  • Special Master and Mediator for Civil Disputes pending in California, Nevada and Arizona (1985-2000)
  • Private Law Practice, representing prominent real estate developers, including The Irvine Company, The Fieldstone Companies, California Pacific Homes and Shapell Development Company (1984-96)
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • J. D., California Western School of Law (1977)
  • B. A., Political Science and History, Whittier College (1972)
  • Mediation Training, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Mediating the Litigated Case
  • Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (1992)
  • Prolific author and lecturer for the Continuing Education for the State Bar of California, The National Institute of Trial Advocacy, The San Diego and American Inns of Court
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, Civil Litigation and Trial Practice, University of San Diego
  • Many additional teaching and lecturing activities with universities, bar associations and Continuing Education of the Bar; author of numerous published writings.
ADR EXPERIENCE & SPECIALTIES
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
  • Product Liability
  • Construction Defect
  • Design Professional and Environmental Claims
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
  • Published in Landmark Opinion, Markborough California, Inc. v. Superior Court (1992) 227 Cal. App 3d 705; Standard Pacific v. A. A. Baxter (1986) 176 Cal. App. 3d 577
  • Appeared in trial for Woodward, Clyde and Associates in the Landmark Supreme Court decision in Tech Built v. Woodward, Clyde and Associates (1983) 38 Cal. 3d 488
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • In his spare time, Mr. Chodzko enjoys European travel, water skiing and Dodger Baseball.
LOCATIONS
  • San Diego County