Introduction
Judge Denton was a full time civil jury trial lawyer for 26 years prior to serving as a San Diego Superior Court Judge from 2001 until 2013. While his tenure on the bench, he served as an Independent Calendar Judge for both the Civil and Family Law Divisions and the Assistant Supervising Judge of the Civil Division. As an Independent Calendar trial judge he was responsible for managing a running caseload of up to 1000 civil cases of all types including complex litigation matters. He presided over law and motion, case management and trial of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, complex real estate litigation, class actions, business and commercial disputes, medical and legal malpractice matters, employment and harassment cases, as well as insurance bad father matters. He was known as a "lawyer's judge" and was highly regarded for his pragmatic, fair and balanced courtroom management style.
Since joining Judicate West, Judge Denton has handled numerous mediations, arbitrations, and discovery master assignments on cases involving complex insurance coverage, subrogation, legal malpractice, real estate, and virtually every type of civil matter from cyber-stalking to catastrophic death and injury. He is best known for his energetic and pragmatic approach to problem solving as well as tenacious drive to resolve difficult cases. Many attorneys comment that his perspectives as an experienced judge and litigator for over 40 years brings a valuable combination of perspective and judgment to the mediation process.
Practice Areas
Hobbies & Interests
Judge Denton frequently enjoys international travel with his wife who is an accomplished litigator, deep sea fishing,
running, skiing, golf and coordinating the activity, school and athletic schedules for his two young adopted foster
children who are 5 & 7. Despite being a "weekend golfer" Judge Denton is lucky and has two "holes in one" and one
"eagle" to his credit. He spent most of his youth overseas and went to high school in Berlin, Germany arriving in
1961 as the "Wall" was being built. He also enjoys spending his free time with his older daughter who is a Federal
Prosecutor in Wash. D.C. and a son who is a 3d digital animator for a major film studio.
Testimonials
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you so much for your amazing hard work and dedication on this difficult case. The fact of settlement here is directly attributable to you, your single-mindedness, your tenacity, your brilliant insights and beautifully reasoned analyses. I have been doing this a long time and I have never had a Mediator stay as completely focused and engaged in a case as you have been in this one. Stated simply, this doesn’t get done without you.
"
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Matter
"This case was languishing and heading towards a needless and expensive trial. [He] came in and gave both parties [his] experience and insight and that brought the case to a complete resolution."
- Attorney on a Family Law Dispute
"Denton is about the best you have."
- Attorney on a Dog Bite Matter
"Judge Denton was fabulous!!!"
- Attorney on a Family Law Matter
"[Judge Denton] understood the issues, worked doggedly to get to resolution."
- Attorney on a Business Transactional Dispute
"Focused. No nonsense. Listened well. Committed to really trying to resolve case. Matter did not really require creative solutions, just tenacity."
- Attorney on an Intellectual Property/Copyright Dispute
"This was my first Zoom mediation and I thought it was very well done"
- Attorney on a Workers Compensation Matter
"In our multi-party, high value, complex matter, and despite the complexity of the indemnity issues and entrenched positions of the parties, Judge Denton successfully settled all claims as among all parties. Excellent demeanor impressed all counsel and more importantly, our clients who still speak highly of the judge who listened carefully to their issues.
"
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Dangerous Road Condition matter
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