Introduction
Judge Bianchini was appointed a Federal Magistrate Judge for The Southern District of California in 1974. After 8 1/2 years of service, he was appointed to the State Court Bench. He retired from the Superior Court in San Diego to pursue his passion for mediation as a full time neutral in 2002. He was later recruited by the Federal Courts in New York as a settlement judge for complex civil litigation and prisoner civil rights matters. During his tenure on both the state and federal benches, Judge Bianchini mediated more than 3,500 cases ranging from simple to multi-issue complex matters. Among his settlements are many multi-million-dollar verdicts in complex cases ranging from patent cases to class actions. Judge Bianchini is known to be an advocate for the settlement process while using a warm and caring approach. Many clients praise him for not giving up and truly exploring every avenue for possible settlement. One client said, "he is a wonderful person, knowledgeable, and an extremely effective mediator."
During his judicial service, he was honored as "Judge of the Year" by the San Diego Trial Lawyers, received the Foothills Bar Association Legal Professional of the Year award, received Family Law Judge of the Year Honors from the El Cajon Superior Court, and was named a “Distinguished Alumni” of San Diego State University in 2018. He was also awarded the “Witkin Award” by the San Diego County Law Library for “Excellence in the Adjudication of the Law” in 2019. Immediately prior to his retirement from the Superior Court he served, during a leave of absence from the bench in 2002, as a Senior Fulbright Scholar to the Sub-Saharan African country of Eritrea.
He flew in helicopters in Vietnam as a crew member and was awarded the Bronze Star w/Combat "V" and 3 Air Medals. He was later awarded the Legion of Merit and the Joint Services Commendation Medal.
Specialties
Hobbies & Interests
Judge Bianchini and his wife travel frequently. He has two daughters from a previous marriage - one is in federal government law enforcement, and his oldest daughter resides in the San Francisco area where she works as an executive producer for Microsoft, having lived in New Zealand where she was a Digital Producer for the New Zealand and Hollywood movie industry. His youngest daughter is an associate in an international employment law firm. Judge Bianchini enjoys volunteer work and is involved in many foundations including the San Diego County Bar Association as a director. He is currently the Chairman of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation. He is extensively involved in the sport of Sabre Fencing and was ranked 6th in the World in 2011, and was the U.S. National Champion in Veteran's Sabre Fencing - 2012 to 2013. He is a two-time Gold Medalist, a Silver Medalist, and a Bronze Medalist in Team competition at the World Veterans Fencing Championships. Judge Bianchini has an extensive aviation background. In addition to his assignment with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Vietnam as a helicopter crewmember, he is a commercial, single and multi-engine instrument rated pilot, and a rated captain in the Cessna Citation (C-500) twin engine business jet. He is also a rated commercial helicopter pilot and a long-term owner of a Beechcraft Bonanza. In his spare time, Judge Bianchini enjoys teaching, playing tennis, golf, playing the piano, and tinkering with his vintage BMW motorcycle with a sidecar.
Testimonials
"Our case was a complex medical malpractice birth injury case. Judge Bianchini was prepared, deliberate and incisive. While the case did not settle at the hearing, it is doubtful it would have settled but for his considerable efforts. Long after the hearing concluded, he continued to work on this case. His professional assistance is much appreciated."
- Attorney on a Medical Malpractice Dispute
"Judge Bianchini displayed kindness and compassion during a long and difficult mediation. We hope he continues to serve in the capacity as a mediator so that he may continue to help make positive changes in peoples' lives, as he has done for us."
- Attorney, San Diego County, California
"Judge Bianchini was as good as gold in getting the other side's decision makers who were entrenched to move from their positions."
- Attorney, San Diego, California
"Judge Bianchini was particularly effective with taking a relatively complex case with coverage issues and managing all parties into a reasonable agreement."
- Attorney on a Real Property/Landlord Tenant Dispute
"Judge Bianchini did an excellent job establishing a relationship with our client, building trust, and explaining the reasons why settlement was our client’s best option."
- Attorney on an Employment/Discrimination Dispute
"Judge Bianchini was fair, balanced and reasonable. He took the time to read the papers and exhibits, and his personable manner made a difficult and complex settlement easier to digest on the client’s part."
- Attorney on an Environmental Dispute
"Judge Bianchini is a skilled jurist and it is an honor to work with him on my cases. I have utmost respect for him and he has carried the same thoughtfulness from the bench to mediation."
- Attorney on a business/contractual dispute
"Very helpful in proposing creative solutions. Very good with the client."
- Attorney on a Civil Rights Dispute
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