Hon. Venetta Tassopulos (Ret.)

T: 310.203.8200
F: 310.203.8211

EDUCATION:

B.A., Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, 1948
M.A., Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, 1957
LL.B., Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 1960

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles (January 1971- April 1994)
Presiding Magistrate (October 1971- January 1987)
Reappointed (January 1979-1987)
United States Commissioner, United States District Court, Central District of California (1968-1971)

LEGAL CAREER:

Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County (1960-1961)
Private Practice, Civil and Criminal (1962-1968)

ADR EXPERIENCE:

(1994-Present) Mediator, Arbitrator, Private Judge, Special Master/Discovery Referee

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

ERISA claims, state and federal civil rights issues, federal tort claims, fee disputes, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, intellectual property, patent and copyright infringement, insurance coverage, professional malpractice, securities, environmental law, contract, family law, personal injury, toxic torts, and commercial litigation.

HONORS / AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES:

American Bar Association (1972-1989)
Federal Bar Association (1972-1989)
Los Angeles County Bar Association (1973-Present)
Federal Magistrate Judges’ Association (1971-Present)
Circuit Director (1975-1976)
Secretary (1976-1977 and 1978-1980)
Treasurer (1981-1982)
Elected to Moot Court Board, Boalt School of Law
Biography - 2nd Edition, Who’s Who in American Law, 13th and 14th Editions, Who’s Who in California; The World Who’s Who of Women, Vol. Six - Commemorative Awards, 1981
AXIOS Award of Worthiness, 1987
Dr. George Papanicolaou Award of Excellence, 1989
Flaschner Judicial Award, American Bar Association, 1993
Delegate, National Conference of Special Court Judges, August 1978-1979
Appointed by U.S. Supreme Court Justices Burger and Rhenquist to court administration and the Magistrates’ Committee, 1991-1994
Judge, Moot Court, Southwestern University, 1981
Judge, Moot Court, Western Regional Finals, 1982
Judge, Moot Court, Southwestern University, April 1983
Judge, Moot Court, U.S.C. Law Center, 1989, 1990, 1991

PUBLICATIONS AND RECENT ARTICLES:

Consultant, Appeals and Writs in Criminal Cases, Law Practice Series, Continuing Education of the Bar, Berkeley, California, 1982
Author, Who’s Who in American Law, 2nd Edition
Neutral Cuts Through, February 2005

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND SPEAKING ASSIGNMENTS:

Faculty Member, Seminar for Magistrates, Federal Judicial Center, Washington DC Taught case calendaring, control and management workshop, trial techniques and dispute resolution (1971-1993)
Lecturer, Program for New Bar Admittees, Bridging the Gap (June 1975)
Lecturer, Federal Practice (February 1981)
Lecturer, Continuing Education of the Bar, Federal Practice Institute (1979, 1981, 1989, 1991, 1993)
Lecturer, Bench and Bar Workshop, Wilshire Bar Association (October 1982)
Lecturer, Criminal Procedure, UCLA (April 1983)
Lecturer, National Association of Women Judges Conference, Panelist, Federal Practice (1984)
Lecturer, California Institute for Trial Advocacy Skills, USC Law Center (June 1978)
Lecturer, Federal Bar Association, Bridging the Gap (1981, 1984)
Lecturer, Los Angeles County Bar, Barristers Federal Seminar (1982, 1983, 1984)
Lecturer, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Social Security Section (February 1983)

AVAILABLE:

Los Angeles County

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