Hon. Richard Kolostian, Ret.
Judge Richard Kolostian, a fixture in the Van Nuys courthouse for more than 30 years, resolved a wide range of disputes during his distinguished term on the bench, including civil, probate, family law, criminal and juvenile matters. He heard all types of civil cases beginning in 1988 and was a Fast Track judge from 2001 until his retirement in 2006. For the past few years, he was in charge of all probate and related cases for the entire San Fernando Valley. During the 1990s, he handled long cause family law trials for Los Angeles County.

As Supervising Judge in the Northwest District, Judge Kolostian developed a number of programs, including the “In Court Mediation Program,” which settled a large number of probate cases and has since been adopted by other judges, and the district’s first “Vast” settlement program.

Judge Kolostian was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 1980 by Governor Jerry Brown after he had served as a municipal court commissioner from 1974-1980. Prior to that he was in private practice. From 1964-1968, he worked in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, where he spent nearly three years handling state and federal appellate matters. Before becoming an attorney, Judge Kolostian gained business experience working as a manager for a large company.

SPECIALIZES IN:

All types of civil matters, probate and family law.

EDUCATION:

L.L.B. (1963), Loyola University School of Law
B.B.A. (1954), Loyola University

ORGANIZATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Named 1988 Trial Judge of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association
  • Current or former member: Los Angeles County Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, California Judges Association

AVAILABLE:

Throughout Southern California.