Burton S. Katz | Mediation

"Judge Burton Katz is a breath of fresh air as a mediator. He treats lawyers and clients with the greatest respect and shows great insight to get the job done." Thomas Girardi, Esq."

Honorable Burton S. Katz is a retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who has spent over 25 years in the courtroom. He is a senior member of Cohen & Associates, Inc. He is an author, legal writer, commentator, legal analyst, radio and TV talk show host, and a past sitting Judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court from 1981-1987 and Los Angeles Municipal Court from 1978-1981. He is an adjunct Professor and has taught Evidence and Trial Advocacy at the University of San Fernando College of Law and lectured at the prestigious California Judicial College at Boalt Hall. He currently serves as a guest lecturer at the Pepperdine University School of Law and California Judges Association (JA).

As a sitting judge, he conducted hundreds of trials, motions and hearings, making special evidentiary rulings. As a 14-year trial lawyer, he handled hundreds of court and jury trials that related to criminal matters, fraud/misrepresentation, breach of contract, bad faith, seller nondisclosure, negligence, intentional torts, standards of care and duty, and real estate matters. He has handled lengthy high-profile and complex cases, including the Manson Family and Sal Mineo Murders. He also investigated the death of actor William Holden. He is best known for his knowledge and legal acumen and as a Judge who treats lawyers and litigants with respect.

He now devotes his full time to mediation and arbitration and handles labor and employment/Title VII, negligence, insurance matters, bad faith, real estate matters and transactional disputes, toxic mold disputes, tortuous claims, medical malpractice, personal injury, and other commercial litigated matters. In addition to his experience as a judge, mediator and arbitrator, he has had personal involvement in owning, repairing, remodeling, and constructing residences and multiple family units. He has experience with construction defects relating to moisture barriers, wood rot, mold, asphalt/concrete, balcony/deck failures, foundation failures, roof leaks, window flashing and other points of water entry. He is a Certified Property Mold Specialist in Toxic Mold Remediation and Toxic Mold Inspection. He is a frequent lecturer on all aspects of the legal system.

Judge Katz has functioned as a neutral on hundreds of cases as a sitting judge and facilitated resolution. Over the past six years, he has mediated over 500 cases.

Judge Katz has been recognized by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal as one of the state's "Top 30 Neutrals" in the field of mediation. He is a member of the California State Bar, having received his JD from Loyola University Law School. He is an approved neutral on the Construction, Commercial and Labor panels for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the Contractor's State License Board (CSLB), the State Department of Insurance and the LA Superior Court ADR Panel. He is a member of the ABA and its Labor and Employment Section. Judge Katz is also a member of the Dispute Resolution sections of the American Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association and Beverly Hills Bar Association as well as Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA). He has twice been the moderator for the National Forensic Center's Annual Conference of Distinguished Experts.

"...Like too many attorneys, I have spent many a frustrated mediation simply horse trading numbers back and forth fueled by caffeine and sugar until both sides give. It was a welcome change to have you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the claims and defenses and explain to our clients how the issues could help or hurt. We look forward to working with you again." Eric J. Schindler, Esq.

"I have participated as a Plaintiff’s attorney in numerous mediations over the years, and I must say that your knowledge, demeanor, style and enthusiasm were truly appreciated by myself and my client." Leonard M. Friedman, Esq.

"Thank you for your skillful efforts in resolving one of our bodily injury claims…your determination in keeping both Plaintiff and the defendant engaged in the settlement process throughout the mediation was very helpful." Stephen Acker, Esq.

"I have been a defense attorney for over twenty-two years and I certainly fell that Judge Katz is in the top 10% of all mediators I have used over the years." Fred Krakuer, Esq.

"Due to his ability to evaluate and resolve issues in a complex real estate case, a settlement was reached. Judge Katz is unique in his abilities to identify those matters and share a realistic attitude with each party as to a probable outcome." Barry King, Esq.

"There is no substitute for an experienced judge when it comes to persuading an insurance carrier to take a hard look at a case and put settlement dollars on the table." Richard Scott, Esq.

"As a long time member of the L.A. Superior Court mediation program myself, I know what it takes to be a good mediator and at this point in my career, I certainly know a good one when I see him." Steven Fondilier, Esq.

"This was a very problematic medical malpractice case; a very difficult case to settle. Judge Katz handled the parties with grace and courtesy and (miraculously) managed to hammer out a settlement." I have been practicing…for 24 years and I have participated as a litigant and mediator in hundreds of mediations and arbitrations… and Judge Katz ranks among the best." James E. Fox, Esq.