Drawing on more than 40 years of distinguished experience as a trial attorney, judge, and mediator, Judge Frazier returns to Judicate West, bringing a seasoned and balanced perspective to dispute resolution. He previously served 17 years on the San Diego County Superior Court, presiding over complex civil, probate, and juvenile dependency matters. Known for his practical judgment, fairness, and efficiency, he earned a reputation for thoughtful case management and clear decision-making. Prior to the bench, he practiced extensively as a trial attorney and served as a mediator with Judicate West, reflecting a longstanding commitment to resolving disputes through collaborative and alternative processes. Today, he leverages this depth of courtroom and civil experience in mediation, arbitration, and private judging, fostering productive dialogue with a courteous, direct approach.

Over his career, Judge Frazier has conducted roughly 750 mediations and settlement conferences. His bench experience in complex civil litigation, combined with his background representing both plaintiffs and defendants, allows him to quickly identify key issues and guide parties toward durable, well-reasoned resolutions. His expertise includes but is not limited to business and commercial disputes, employment, personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, real estate, and probate matters, positioning him as a highly regarded neutral for complex, high-stakes cases.

A respected member of the San Diego legal community, Judge Frazier is a longtime member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and was named Trial Judge of the Year in 2023. He has also served in leadership and board positions with several prominent legal organizations, reflecting his commitment to the advancement of the profession and the development of effective trial practice and dispute resolution.

Practice Areas
  • Business/Commercial
  • Employment
  • Medical Negligence
  • Probate
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Malpractice
  • Personal Injury including Sexual Misconduct
Hobbies & Interests

Judge Frazier has had a lifelong passion for baseball. He has visited 54 different major league parks as well as five parks in Japan. He also loves to travel. Some notable destinations so far include England, France, India, Ireland, Israel, Portugal, and Spain.

Legal Career
  • Full-time Neutral, Judicate West (2026-Present)
  • Judge, San Diego County Superior Court (2009-2026); Independent Calendar, Civil (2017-2023); Probate (2023-2026)
  • Neutral, Judicate West (2005-2009)
  • Owner, Law Offices of Ronald F. Frazier; Civil Litigation and Mediation (2000-2009)
  • Partner, Walters Frazier Caietti Rutan & Lopez; Civil Litigation (1998-2000)
  • Director, Shifflet Walters; Civil Litigation (1989-1998)
  • Partner, Mullen Dofflemyre and Frazier; Civil Litigation (1985-1988)
  • Associate, Jones & Mullen; Civil Litigation (1982-1985)
Education & Professional Affiliations
  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law (1982)
  • B.A., California State University, Fullerton (1977)
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member (2000-Present)
  • University of San Diego Law Alumni Association, Board of Directors (2009-2015)
  • San Diego Inn of Court, President (2000); Director (1995-1999); Member (1995-2001)
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), Board Member (2026); Member (2019-Present)
Achievements & Awards
  • Judge of the Year Award, ABOTA- San Diego Chapter (2023)
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. Ronald F. Frazier, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.

Contractual

  • Litigated breach of contract and business disputes as part of a broad civil litigation practice.
  • Adjudicated breach of contract, business, and commercial disputes while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.
  • Adjudicated a high-value commercial dispute that resulted in a multimillion-dollar verdict, plus punitive damages.
  • Mediated contractual disputes involving complex interpretation issues, including disputes requiring extended negotiations over multiple months.

Constr. Defect/Real Property

  • Litigated numerous construction injury cases.

Construction Breach Of Contract

  • Litigated construction contract interpretation disputes, including indemnity and additional insured issues.
  • Mediated a complex construction injury matter involving contractual interpretation issues between a general contractor and subcontractor.
  • Mediated a construction-related dispute that required more than six months of negotiations to resolve.

Breach of Contract

  • Adjudicated employment matters while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.

Disability

  • Litigated employment cases as part of a broad civil litigation practice.

Employment Wage & Hour Class Action PAGA

  • Adjudicated class action matters while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.

PAGA

  • Adjudicated PAGA matters while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.

Wage and Hour Class Action

  • Adjudicated a large-scale wage-and-hour class action in the renewable energy sector, involving door-to-door solar sales contractors.

Entertainment Issues

  • Adjudicated a high-profile entertainment/sports business dispute involving a major racetrack.

Environmental Issues

  • Adjudicated CEQA matters while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.

Civil Rights

  • Litigated civil rights cases involving excessive force claims during civil litigation practice.

Government Liability

  • Resolved high-stakes public-impact litigation shortly before a critical operational deadline, allowing a major public event to proceed.

Public Policy

  • Adjudicated complex local government litigation involving California housing law and voter initiatives.

Bad Faith

  • Litigated bad faith matters as part of a broad civil litigation practice.

Coverage

  • Litigated construction-related indemnity and additional insured disputes.
  • Mediated matters involving complex insurance coverage issues arising from personal injury and vehicle-related claims.

Medical

  • Litigated medical malpractice cases during civil litigation practice.

Probate

  • Adjudicated numerous probate matters while assigned to probate.
  • Adjudicated a high-profile guardianship matter while assigned to probate.

Legal

  • Adjudicated professional negligence matters while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.

Real Property

  • Litigated construction-related contract interpretation disputes involving indemnity and additional insured issues.
  • Adjudicated easement disputes while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.
  • Adjudicated real property-related civil disputes as part of a broad Independent Calendar civil assignment.

Personal Injury

  • Litigated auto accident, premises liability, construction injury, asbestos, and other tort matters as part of a broad civil litigation practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
  • Adjudicated auto liability, premises liability, professional negligence, and catastrophic personal injury matters while assigned to an Independent Calendar civil department.
  • Mediated personal injury matters involving complex factual, causation, and insurance coverage issues, including a negligent maintenance claim involving a defective vehicle component.
  • Mediated an underinsured motorist matter involving two separate incidents two years apart, with the first matter settling after nearly a full day of mediation and the second proceeding to underinsured motorist arbitration.

PI Auto

  • Mediated a high-publicity vehicular accident matter involving a wrong-way driver and serious collision injuries.

Product Liability

  • Litigated product liability design defect matters involving large corporate defendants.
  • Adjudicated a catastrophic personal injury case involving product liability-related claims against a major manufacturer.
Judge Frazier served as mediator in a highly charged trust and probate dispute involving longstanding grievances and complex legal issues. From the outset, he brought calm, credibility, patience, and authority to a difficult case. He handled those sensitivities with professionalism, emotional intelligence, and appropriate firmness. His steady presence helped de-escalate tension and dislodged the parties from their entrenched positions. Thanks to Judge Frazier’s skillful mediation, steadily pushing the ball forward, and a dispute that once appeared unlikely to settle was resolved. I highly recommend him.
- Attorney on a Probate Matter
Judge Frazier was patient, courteous with counsel, and willing to take the time and make the effort to get the parties to a resolution. He did what seemed impossible and brought the parties together.
- Senior Counsel at a National Law Firm Regarding a High-Profile Case
Judge Frazier is the hardest-working mediator I have experienced. He works on the weekend, at night, and shows up on the day of trial to work out settlements. It will be a game changer to have him back settling cases!
- ABOTA Member with 40 Years of Experience
I appreciate Judge Frazier's calm, thoughtful, and measured way, which is a product of years of experience. I look forward to bringing complicated disputes and our mediations and arbitrations to the steady and trusted mind of Judge Frazier!
- San Diego Trial Lawyer of the Year
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Hon. Ronald F. Frazier, Ret.
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