Hon. Michael Berg, ret.
Judge Berg has more than 30 years of judicial experience. He has conducted numerous settlement conferences and resolved countless discovery disputes and Law and Motion matters in the Civil Fast Track department. His docket spanned the spectrum of case types, including two of the largest multi-site environmental actions in the U.S.: ITT Corp v. Pacific Indemnity Co., et al. (BC 037585) and Arco v. Aetna, et al. (BC 015575). During his assignment to the Second District Court of Appeal, he wrote People v. Masters 134 CA3d 509, cited in 1 Witkin California Evidence 3d ed., §570. Only weeks after his entry into private ADR, he settled a complex insurance coverage bad faith claim that was more than eight years old.

Judge Berg has a reputation for being very knowledgeable, conscientious and understanding. He has an exceptionally high settlement rate and a talent for settling complex and difficult cases. He is equally comfortable with facilitative or strongly evaluative approaches. His vast judicial experience and advanced mediation training, coupled with his dedication and perseverance, often result in settlements which otherwise might not have been possible.

SPECIALIZES IN:

Complex litigation involving insurance, business and commercial disputes, real
estate, entertainment, breach of contract, professional malpractice, employment, personal injury, probate, environmental, construction defect, intellectual property and fee disputes

ORGANIZATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Judicial Assignments: Complex Civil Trials (many years); Eight years Civil Fast Track, including a heavy law and motion and trial calendar. Elected twice by colleagues to Superior Court’s Executive Committee.
  • Author of articles and lecturer on MCLE regarding settlement confidentiality.
  • Member: California Judges Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association.

EDUCATION:

  • University of Southern California, School of Law (J.D., 1959)
  • University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., political science, 1954).

AVAILABLE:

Throughout Southern California.