Hon. Ruth Essegian, Ret.
Judge Ruth Essegian was appointed to the bench by Governor George Deukmekjian in 1989 and was most recently assigned to the Northwest District Superior Court in Van Nuys, where she handled all types of unlimited jurisdiction civil disputes. A Superior Court Fast Track judge from 2000-2006, Judge Essegian is an aggressive settlement judge who has settled the vast majority of cases that have come before her. She is well regarded by both plaintiff and defense attorneys, who say she is prepared and knowledgeable of the law, makes reasoned decisions, and has a great judicial temperament.

Judge Essegian decided to become an attorney after an accomplished career in the business sector. Upon graduating from law school, she worked as a deputy city attorney for the City of Pasadena. She moved on to the California State Department of Justice, where she served as a deputy attorney general for two years. She then accepted an appointment as Deputy Director and Chief of Legal Affairs for the California State Department of Consumer Affairs. In 1987, she went into private practice and handled business cases until she was appointed to the Municipal Court.

Judge Essegian was a faculty member of the Judge’s College in Berkeley and the New Judge’s Orientation in San Francisco. She served as a judge in mock trials conducted by law students at Pepperdine and Whittier law schools. She has appeared on television in a public service program where she presented issues of interest in the judicial system.

ORGANIZATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Member, California Commission on Judicial Performance (1990-1996)
  • Member, California Judges Assoc. (1989-2006)
  • Former member, Los Angeles County Bar Assoc. (1983-1989) and Women Lawyers Assoc. of Los Angeles (1983-1989)
  • Former member and trustee, Burbank Bar Assoc. (1987-1989)
  • Trustee, Board Member of Ararat Home of Los Angeles

SPECIALIZES IN:

All types of civil litigation, including business/commercial, personal injury, medical malpractice, professional malpractice, employment

EDUCATION:

  • J.D., Whittier College of Law (1980) Dean’s List, Law Review
  • Undergraduate study, UCLA
  • Past judicial study: Oxford University, England; Trinity College, Ireland

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS:

Throughout Southern California.