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, to the mediation process.
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.
Judge Denton was very well prepared to mediate our complex, three party dispute. He was tenacious with all parties and had the persistence to keep the process moving until the parties could reach a settlement. I was very impressed with his intellect and style.
- Attorney on a securities 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
Judge Denton was to the point and showed our clients the weak areas of their cases and I am sure he did the same with defendant and his counsel.
- Attorney on an employment/wrongful termination dispute
Creative methods to bridge settlement offer gap. Knowledgeable in all respects of law and insightful as to
a potential judicial/evidentiary perspective.
- Attorney on a legally complex legal malpractice dispute
Judge Denton, having significant litigation experience, is ideally suited to act as a catalyst in resolving cases.
He recently applied his talents and resolved what was sure to be a highly contentious high stakes employment matter. He acted promptly,
before a complaint was even filed, convincing the parties and their attorneys that a mutually agreeable known result is a far better solution than years
of expensive litigation leading to an uncertain result.
- Attorney, Irvine, CA
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
Very prepared, professional and even.
- Attorney on a Real Property Business/Contractual Dispute
We were impressed by Judge Denton's approach, efficiency and preparedness.
- Attorney, Orange County, CA
601 S. Figueroa
Ste 4000
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213.223.1113
Fax : 213.223.1114
11601 Wilshire Blvd
Ste 2040
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310.442.2100
Fax : 310.442.2125
402 W. Broadway
Ste 2400
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.814.1966
Fax : 619.814.1967
1851 East First Street
Ste 1600
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714.834.1340
Fax : 714.834.1344
100 Pine Street
Ste 1950
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 415.266.1242
Fax : 415.266.1243
980 9th Street
Suite 2200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.394.8490
Fax : 916.394.8495
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