Introduction
Following more than 22 years on the bench, 19 of which were on the Court of Appeal, Justice Laurie Zelon has retired and is available to serve as a mediator, arbitrator, and private judge with a strong focus on arbitrations, private trials, special master assignments, neutral analysis, and appellate reviews.
Her reputation precedes her as a judge with acute attention to detail in reading, preparing, and decision making. She is also 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 are tremendous assets in a variety of complex matters.
Justice Zelon described her approach to private dispute resolution stating, “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.”
Practice Areas
- Business Litigation
- Governmental
- Life Sciences
- Environmental
- Product Liability
Experience Summary
Throughout an impressive career on the bench spanning over two decades, Justice Zelon has been involved in a wide variety of cases.
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Hobbies & Interests
Justice Zelon loves to hike and travel and often travels to hike. She has hiked on three continents and four island countries. In quieter times, reading and music bring her joy. Throughout her career, she has volunteered in civic and legal organizations and provided pro bono legal service. That service is a personal obligation to the community that inspires her on an ongoing basis.
Experience Summary
FIDUCIARY DUTY AND PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS
• Represented corporate entities at trial and appellate levels in multiple shareholder litigation
matters, including the application of the business judgment rule
• Served as an expert witness concerning lawyer’s duty to clients and legal malpractice
GOVERNMENTAL OBLIGATIONS
• Represented a large bar association in litigation at trial and appellate levels concerning
the relationship to the members and First Amendment rights
• Represented individuals at trial and appellate levels suing the government for restoration of
constitutional rights
MEDICAL DEVICES
•Represented manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical products against
claims of product failures and nondisclosures
ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND USE
•Represented cities, counties, and redevelopment agencies in multi-party cases involving land
use, redevelopment, and land subsidence
•Represented corporations in litigation concerning the performance of waste to energy and
wind energy installations
•Represented a corporation in a toxic spill claim
•Heard appellate matters regarding EIR’s, HOA disputes, neighbor altercations and property
claims, and CEQA claims
CONTRACT
•Litigated multiple breach of contract cases
•Presided as the trial judge in breach of contract matters
•Heard multiple appellate matters concerning breach of contract, arbitration clause disputes,
UCL, deceptive advertising claims, class action determination, and attorney fees disputes
•Heard appellate matters concerning health care service plans
EMPLOYMENT
•Heard multiple appellate matters concerning FEHA, employment discrimination, and PAGA cases
PROBATE AND FAMILY
•Represented a family member in an intrafamily dispute over the distribution of the estate and will contest
•Heard appellate matters concerning restraining orders for elder abuse and spousal abuse
•Represented a client suing for Marvin rights
•Heard appellate matters concerning child custody and support
