Hon. Yvette M. Palazuelos (Ret.), ACIArb
Hon. Yvette M. Palazuelos (Ret.), ACIArb
Website https://www.judicatewest.com/adr/yvette-palazuelos
Biography
Judge Palazuelos joined Judicate West, following 24 years of distinguished service to the Los
Angeles County Superior Court. She was appointed to the bench in 2000, presiding over the
individual civil calendar across all manner of civil matters. Since 2019, she was tapped to
exclusively preside over complex civil cases, including mass torts, class actions, and business
disputes. For the decade preceding her appointment, she served as an Assistant U.S.
Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, prosecuting all
kinds of federal criminal matters. She began her career as a litigation associate, defending
insurance companies. Active in the legal community, Judge Palazuelos served on numerous
committees for the Los Angeles Superior Court, including the Executive Committee and the
Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is a trustee of the Mexican American Bar Foundation,
served as a board member for the California Judges Association, and is a founder and past
president of the Latino Lawyers Association.Her vast array of experience in all types of cases
while on the bench brings remarkable insight to her role as a neutral. This experience,
coupled with her calm, genial, and patient demeanor, position her as an exceptional
facilitator of resolution.
LEGAL CAREER & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
· Full-time Neutral, Judicate West (2024-Present)
· Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court (2000-2024); Presided over complex
civil cases since 2019; Presided over individual civil calendar consisting of
unlimited jurisdiction cases; California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) judge;
Presided over individual criminal calendar
· Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles (1990-2000);
Prosecuted defendants in federal criminal cases
· Associate, Buchalter, Nemer, Fields & Younger (1987-1990); Defended insurance
companies in federal and state civil cases, mainly declaratory relief actions or bad
faith lawsuits
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
· J.D., Columbia University School of Law (1984-1987)
· B.A., Stanford University (1981-1984)
· Mediating the Litigated Case, Straus Institute, Pepperdine University School of
Law (2023)
· Member of various Los Angeles County Superior Court Committees (2007-2024)
· Adjunct Professor, Southwestern Law School; Taught Trial Advocacy + California
Civil Procedure; Served as Semi-Final Round Judge on Intramural Moot Court
Competition (2014-2017)
· California Judges Association, Board Member (2015-2017); Compensation +
Benefits Committee Member (2015-Present); California Judges Foundation
Member (2018-Present)
· Mexican American Bar Foundation, Trustee (2007-Present)
· Justice Carlos Moreno Inn of Court, Judicial Advisor (2009-2010)
· Latino Lawyers Association, Founder, President, Board of Directors (1987-1998)
· Associate Member of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CiArb)
PRACTICE AREAS
All types of Personal Injury including Mass Tort, Sexual Assault, and Wrongful Death;
Business; Construction Defect; Employment including Class Action; Environmental Law
including CEQA and Groundwater Rights; Governmental; Insurance; Lemon Law; Real
Estate; Trade Secrets; Voting Rights
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
· Presiding Judge’s Leadership Award, LA Superior Court’s D&I Workshop (2021)
· Judge of the Year Award, Korean Community Lawyers Association (2017)
· Francisca Flores Community Service Award, Latina Lawyers Bar Association (2016)
· Benjamin Aranda III Judge of the Year Award, Mexican American Bar Association(2014)
· Speaker for multiple organizations including CAALA, CELA, LACBA + ABOTA
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
In her free time, Judge Palazuelos enjoys traveling, hiking, and scrapbooking.
LOCATIONS
Los Angeles, All of California