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OUR NEUTRALS

Hon. Robert J. Polis, Ret.
Since his retirement from the Orange County Superior Court in May of 1999, following 23 years on the bench, Judge Polis has become one of the most requested Private Judges in Southern California. Known for his humanistic approach to justice, he is now handling a busy calendar balanced with mediations, arbitrations and private judging assignments, while maintaining his calm, gentle, courteous and gracious attitude toward the people he meets on each case. Attorneys who appear before him, from the neighborhood sole practitioner to the senior partners of the most prestigious firms, all compliment him for his "scholarly" but gentle "manner," his knowledge of the law in such a wide variety of practice areas, innovative skills and commitment to fairness. Comments inlcude, "His decisions are clear and concise and very detailed," and "He is one of the all time best, fair, even tempered, hardworking and thorough neutrals." Another client commented "...any case, any time, any client, is when I recommend this Judge."
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
  • Judge, Superior Court, Orange County (1983-99)
  • Judge, Municipal Court, Orange County Harbor Judicial District (1979-83)
  • Presiding Judge (1982), Asst. Presiding Judge (1981), Traffic Commissioner (1975-79) at same Municipal Court
  • Private Law Practice, Sole Practitioner, Orange County (1971-75)
  • Deputy Attorney General, Calif. State Dept. of Justice (1969-71)
  • Research Assistant, LA County Superior Ct, Appellate Dept. (1967-69)
  • Faculty: Calif. Continuing Judicial Studies Program, “CJSP,” CJER (1981-93); Skills Training Institute, CJER (1992); Calif. Judicial College, CJER, Berkeley (1992, 1991, 1982); New Judges Orientation Program, CJER (1981-92); Civil Law and Procedure Institute, CJER (1991), and others. Among subjects taught: Criminal Law & Motion, Communication, Fact Finding, Prosecution & Adjudication; Criminal & Civil Law & Motion, Evidence, and Civil Trials.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Member, California Judges Assn. (1979-Present); Chair (1985)
  • Member, Ethics Committee (1982-85)
  • Member, New Judge Education Planning Committee, CJER (1990)
  • Member, YMCA Youth & Government (1968-Present); Chair (1977)
  • Master Bencher, Legion Lex Inns of Court (1998)
  • Member, Orange County Law Library Board of Trustees
  • Former Member, Calif. Continuing Judicial Studies Program Planning Committee (1983-88); Chair (1986-87); Vice Chair (1985-1986)
  • J.D., University of Southern Calif. Law Center, Los Angeles (1966)
  • B.A. (Scholarship; History), Univ. of Southern Calif., Los Angeles (1963)
  • Graduate, California Judicial College, CJER, Berkeley (1976)
ADR EXPERIENCE & SPECIALTIES
  • Business/Commercial
  • Construction and Mold related matters
  • Employment
  • Real Estate
  • Medical Negligence
  • Legal Negligence
  • Elder Abuse
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Personal Injury
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
  • Recipient, “1997 George Francis Civility Award”, American Board of Trial Advocates, O. C. Chapter
  • Recipient, “Jerrold Oliver Award for Judicial Integrity, Compassion and Courage,” O. C. Trial Lawyers (1997)
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • Backpacking, Computer Imaging, Marathons, Skiing, Flying, Diving, Photography and Cooking for Dinner Parties
LOCATIONS
  • All of California
RECENT ARTICLES


Hon. Robert J. Polis, Ret.
Since his retirement from the Orange County Superior Court in May of 1999, following 23 years on the bench, Judge Polis has become one of the most requested Private Judges in Southern California. Known for his humanistic approach to justice, he is now handling a busy calendar balanced with mediations, arbitrations and private judging assignments, while maintaining his calm, gentle, courteous and gracious attitude toward the people he meets on each case. Attorneys who appear before him, from the neighborhood sole practitioner to the senior partners of the most prestigious firms, all compliment him for his "scholarly" but gentle "manner," his knowledge of the law in such a wide variety of practice areas, innovative skills and commitment to fairness. Comments inlcude, "His decisions are clear and concise and very detailed," and "He is one of the all time best, fair, even tempered, hardworking and thorough neutrals." Another client commented "...any case, any time, any client, is when I recommend this Judge."
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
  • Judge, Superior Court, Orange County (1983-99)
  • Judge, Municipal Court, Orange County Harbor Judicial District (1979-83)
  • Presiding Judge (1982), Asst. Presiding Judge (1981), Traffic Commissioner (1975-79) at same Municipal Court
  • Private Law Practice, Sole Practitioner, Orange County (1971-75)
  • Deputy Attorney General, Calif. State Dept. of Justice (1969-71)
  • Research Assistant, LA County Superior Ct, Appellate Dept. (1967-69)
  • Faculty: Calif. Continuing Judicial Studies Program, “CJSP,” CJER (1981-93); Skills Training Institute, CJER (1992); Calif. Judicial College, CJER, Berkeley (1992, 1991, 1982); New Judges Orientation Program, CJER (1981-92); Civil Law and Procedure Institute, CJER (1991), and others. Among subjects taught: Criminal Law & Motion, Communication, Fact Finding, Prosecution & Adjudication; Criminal & Civil Law & Motion, Evidence, and Civil Trials.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Member, California Judges Assn. (1979-Present); Chair (1985)
  • Member, Ethics Committee (1982-85)
  • Member, New Judge Education Planning Committee, CJER (1990)
  • Member, YMCA Youth & Government (1968-Present); Chair (1977)
  • Master Bencher, Legion Lex Inns of Court (1998)
  • Member, Orange County Law Library Board of Trustees
  • Former Member, Calif. Continuing Judicial Studies Program Planning Committee (1983-88); Chair (1986-87); Vice Chair (1985-1986)
  • J.D., University of Southern Calif. Law Center, Los Angeles (1966)
  • B.A. (Scholarship; History), Univ. of Southern Calif., Los Angeles (1963)
  • Graduate, California Judicial College, CJER, Berkeley (1976)
ADR EXPERIENCE & SPECIALTIES
  • Business/Commercial
  • Construction and Mold related matters
  • Employment
  • Real Estate
  • Medical Negligence
  • Legal Negligence
  • Elder Abuse
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Personal Injury
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
  • Recipient, “1997 George Francis Civility Award”, American Board of Trial Advocates, O. C. Chapter
  • Recipient, “Jerrold Oliver Award for Judicial Integrity, Compassion and Courage,” O. C. Trial Lawyers (1997)
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • Backpacking, Computer Imaging, Marathons, Skiing, Flying, Diving, Photography and Cooking for Dinner Parties
LOCATIONS
  • All of California
RECENT ARTICLES