Experience
I am a full time arbitrator with a practice concentrated in complex commercial disputes, including contractual interpretation, business torts, partnership and member disputes, and high value transactions across diverse industries. I have issued numerous final awards involving misappropriation of funds and fiduciary duty breaches; fraud and concealment in the sale of a business exceeding $100 million (serving as panel chair); telecommunications related rate disputes; trade secret related breaches of supply and purchase agreements; real estate purchase disputes; warehousing, distribution, and e commerce fulfillment agreements; and fee for services contracts. My commercial docket also includes disputes arising from long term business relationships, corporate governance issues, and complex financial arrangements. In each matter, I manage discovery, preside over hearings, and ensure efficient, fair, and principled resolution. In addition to my commercial work, my broader arbitration practice includes employment matters, wage and hour claims, and consumer disputes requiring careful application of statutory protections and equitable principles. Across all case types, I focus on delivering clear, well reasoned awards and maintaining a process that is efficient, respectful, and grounded in sound procedural management. My commercial arbitration practice is supported by more than three decades of experience in business litigation, corporate counsel work, and judicial service. Before joining JAMS in 2021, I served eighteen years on the San Diego Superior Court, including as Supervising Judge of the Civil Division, where I presided over a wide range of commercial cases involving contract disputes, fraud, fiduciary duty claims, and business torts. Earlier, as in-house counsel, I represented a Fortune 500 energy company in commercial transactions and corporate governance matters, practiced construction defect and business litigation, and served in the United States Navy. I also contribute to the commercial ADR community through teaching, ethics presentations, and service as faculty at the 2024 Summer Symposium on Emerging Trends in ADR and ODR in the U.S. and EU.
Work History
San Diego Superior Court 2003–2021 Supervising Judge, Civil Division, 2020–2021 Assistant Supervising Judge, Civil Division, 2019 Sempra Energy, 1995–2003 Assistant Corporate Secretary, SDG&E and Southern California Gas Company, 2000-2003 Counsel, Commercial Law Sections, 1998-2003 Counsel, Litigation Section, 1995-1998 Hillyer & Irwin Associate 1990 - 1995 California State Attorney General\"s Office Deputy Attorney General Criminal Appeals, Writs, & Trials 1985-1990
Training
Multi District Litigation (MDL) Certification, Duke Law School, 2022
License(s)
California Bar
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1985 B.A., San Jose State University, 1982
Publications
Why Ethics Matter in Mediation Daily Journal December 17, 2021
Awards
Judicial Excellence Award, California Association of Black Lawyers, 2022 Vincent Monroe Townsend Award, National Bar Association, 2021 Sarah J. Harper Humanitarian Award, National Bar Association Judicial Council, 2021 Outstanding Jurist Award, San Diego County Bar Association, 2021 Living Legend Award, National Bar Association, Region IX, 2021 Trailblazer, San Diego County Women\"s History Hall of Fame, Women’s Museum of California, 2021 Excellence Award, Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation, 2020 Belva Lockwood Award, Lawyers Club of San Diego, 2018 Unsung Hero Award, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, 2017 Sankofa Award, National Bar Association (NBA), 2009 Bernard S. Jefferson Judge of the Year Award, California Association of Black Lawyers, 2008 Woman of the Year, 79th State Assembly District, 2004 Randa Trapp Day, City of San Diego, October 15, 2001
Associations
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2025 Fellow, Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals, 2023 Member, Advisory Board, Lawyers Club of San Diego, 2005– present Member, former Board of Governors/ current Judicial Advisory Board, Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), 2014- present Co-Chair, International Litigation Subcommittee, Business Law Section, American Bar Association, 2019 - present President, American Judicial Council Foundation, 2018–present President, J. Clifford Wallace Inn of Court, 2015–2020, current Master Chair, Judicial Advisory Committee, ABTL, 2015–2020, current member Treasurer, National Association of Women Judges, 2018–2019 Chair, Judicial Council, NBA, 2014–2015, member 1989 - present Life Member, President, Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, 1990 Life Member, Regional Director, California Women Lawyers, 1989–1990 Life Member, Board Member, California Association of Black Lawyers, 1990, 1992–1993
