Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Why do a lot of Superior Court judges retire to then become private Arbitrators/Mediators? ,,,,Is it because there's need for ADR officials and are asked to fill in the voids, or is it because of flexible hours, or they get more pay? or are they asked to step down from the bench due to corruption, conflicts, scandals, etc.,,,,,or are they tired of being judges and handling too many caseloads?,,,,,,

Here's a sample article the reflects judges retiring to become ADR officials, which is a norm across the country:

http://reyesadr.com/wp-content/uploads/DBR-Oct-17-2012.pdf


Asked on 5/15/14, 8:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

As an attorney mediator competing with these retired judges for business I can tell you a few things. 1. it has nothing to do with any shortage of ADR neutrals. There are lots of us out there. 2. Although it is tough financially for an attorney to transition to ADR, it is usually far more lucrative than being a judge. Judges make less than most of the lawyers appearing before them. 3. The judicial retirement benefits system financially encourages retirement at a certain point, often before a judge really wants to retire from work entirely. So it makes sense to take the retirement and switch to ADR even if only part-time. 4. A judge who is forced out of office will pretty much never get hired for ADR work. The reason retired judges are so successful as ADR neutrals is because they are respected. A disgraced judge would have a hard time having any credibility.

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Answered on 5/15/14, 10:05 am


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