Case Manager: Haward Cho
Former Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court | 27½ Years on the Bench | 750 Trials Presided Over
With more than four decades of legal experience, including 27½ years on the bench and approximately 750 trials, Hon. Mark V. Mooney (Ret.) brings extensive judicial experience, practical litigation insight, and a balanced perspective to his work as a mediator and arbitrator. Having presided over a broad spectrum of civil disputes in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Mooney is known for his thorough preparation, sound judgment, approachable demeanor, and ability to engage effectively with attorneys and litigants on both sides of a dispute.
Judge Mooney’s judicial career began in 1995 when he was appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court. He was elevated to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 1998, initially handling felony criminal matters before transitioning in 2005 to an Independent Calendar civil assignment at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, where he remained until his retirement in 2022. During his judicial tenure, he presided over trials, complex discovery proceedings, and settlement conferences involving employment disputes, civil rights, professional negligence, personal injury, product liability, business litigation, insurance coverage, construction defects, real estate, and other significant civil matters.
His judicial experience includes several notable cases involving complex legal issues and substantial public interest. Judge Mooney presided over Jauregui v. City of Palmdale, a significant California Voting Rights Act case addressing electoral representation and voting rights. His entertainment litigation experience includes disputes involving the estate of Jimi Hendrix and rights to the music of Sly Stone. He also served as the trial judge in Jafa-Bodden v. Choudhury, a high-profile employment and sexual harassment action involving Bikram Choudhury. These matters reflect his experience navigating legally complex, fact-intensive, and often highly contentious disputes involving significant financial, reputational, and personal interests.
Before joining the judiciary, Judge Mooney developed a substantial civil litigation practice representing clients in professional negligence, medical malpractice, product liability, and personal injury matters. He also served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California, handling litigation brought against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as well as civil rights actions. His experience as both a practicing trial attorney and a judicial officer gives him a practical understanding of litigation strategy, evidentiary challenges, trial preparation, and the considerations that influence settlement decisions.
Since transitioning to private dispute resolution, Judge Mooney has mediated approximately 300 matters and has been selected as an arbitrator in more than 100 arbitrations. His approach to mediation is grounded in preparation, candid evaluation, and the recognition that meaningful resolution generally requires compromise from all parties. He encourages counsel and their clients to assess their positions realistically, consider the risks and costs of continued litigation, and evaluate settlement proposals from the opposing party’s perspective. When negotiations reach an impasse, he focuses on identifying proposals that provide each side with a compelling alternative to proceeding to trial. He also recognizes that resolution may require continued engagement after the initial mediation session and remains attentive to opportunities for progress as circumstances evolve.
As an arbitrator, Judge Mooney draws on his extensive trial experience to conduct fair, focused proceedings and render carefully considered decisions. He emphasizes a thorough review of the evidence and applicable law, attentive listening, and reasoned decisions that clearly explain the basis for the outcome.
Judge Mooney’s contributions to the legal profession have been recognized by both plaintiff and defense trial attorneys. He received the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) Judge of the Year Award in 2010 and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Judge of the Year Award in 2019. These distinctions reflect the respect he earned throughout his judicial career for his professionalism, fairness, and commitment to the administration of justice.
Today, Judge Mooney brings that same commitment to his dispute resolution practice, offering attorneys and their clients an experienced, prepared, and pragmatic neutral who understands the demands of litigation and the value of achieving a meaningful resolution.
Extensive Trial and Judicial Experience: Judge Mooney presided over approximately 750 trials during his 27½-year judicial career, providing him with firsthand insight into trial dynamics, evidentiary issues, judicial decision-making, and litigation risk.
Experience Across Diverse and Complex Civil Matters: His background encompasses business litigation, employment, professional negligence, civil rights, insurance, personal injury, and entertainment disputes, allowing him to assess cases involving overlapping legal and factual issues.
Perspective from Both Sides of the Bench: His experience as a civil trial attorney, federal prosecutor, and Superior Court judge enables him to appreciate the practical challenges faced by litigants, trial counsel, and decision-makers.
Recognized Fairness and Judicial Temperament: His selection for Judge of the Year honors by CAALA and LA-ABOTA reflects recognition from organizations representing different constituencies within the trial bar.
Practical and Candid Settlement Evaluation: Judge Mooney encourages parties to examine the strengths and weaknesses of their positions, evaluate the consequences of proceeding to trial, and consider realistic opportunities for compromise.
Thorough Preparation and Continued Engagement: He reviews mediation submissions and applicable law in advance and recognizes the importance of follow-up when additional discussions or changing circumstances may create opportunities for resolution.
Experienced Arbitration Decision-Maker: With approximately 750 trials presided over and more than 100 arbitration selections, Judge Mooney brings substantial experience evaluating evidence and resolving contested issues.
Judge Mooney approaches mediation with the understanding that successful settlement requires preparation, realistic expectations, and a willingness to compromise. His objective is to help parties resolve disputes efficiently while avoiding the financial burdens, uncertainty, and disruption associated with continued litigation.
Before mediation, he carefully reviews the parties’ submissions and the applicable law to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factual and legal issues. During negotiations, he draws on his judicial and trial experience to help parties evaluate litigation risks, assess potential outcomes, and distinguish between their desired results and the practical alternatives available.
Judge Mooney believes that productive negotiations require parties to consider not only their own positions but also the perspective of the opposing side. When discussions stall, he encourages meaningful proposals that give the other party a compelling reason to reconsider its position rather than proceed to trial.
Known for his approachable demeanor, attentive listening, and sense of humor, Judge Mooney works to establish a constructive environment in which parties feel heard while remaining focused on resolution. When a matter does not settle during the initial session, he recognizes the importance of continued communication and follows up to explore whether changing circumstances or renewed negotiations may help bridge the remaining differences.
Judge Mooney’s arbitration philosophy is informed by nearly three decades of judicial service and extensive experience presiding over civil and criminal trials. He understands the distinction between mediation, where the parties retain decision-making authority, and arbitration, where the neutral is responsible for evaluating the evidence and reaching a determination.
As an arbitrator, he emphasizes procedural fairness, careful preparation, and a complete understanding of the parties’ arguments. He reviews the materials submitted, listens attentively to the evidence and presentations, and seeks to issue reasoned decisions that clearly explain the factual and legal basis for his conclusions.
In addition to his judicial experience, Judge Mooney has been selected as an arbitrator in more than 100 UIM matters, bringing particular familiarity with the evaluation of personal injury claims, damages, liability, and contested insurance-related issues.
ADR Services, Inc. – Mediator, Arbitrator, Discovery Referee | 2026–Present
Judicate West – Full-Time Neutral | 2023–2026
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles – Judge | 1998–2022
Los Angeles Municipal Court – Judge | 1995-1998
United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California – Assistant U.S. Attorney | 1991–1995
LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames – Associate Attorney | 1988–1991
Torres & Brenner – Associate Attorney | 1987
Hillsinger & Costanzo, P.C. – Associate Attorney | 1982–1987
What types of cases does Judge Mark Mooney mediate?
Judge Mooney mediates a broad range of civil disputes, including employment, personal injury, professional negligence, medical malpractice, product liability, business litigation, insurance coverage, civil rights, construction defect, real estate, and entertainment-related matters. His experience presiding over approximately 750 trials allows him to bring a practical understanding of the legal and evidentiary issues involved in these cases.
What is Judge Mooney’s mediation style?
Judge Mooney takes a prepared, pragmatic, and candid approach to mediation. He carefully reviews the parties’ submissions and applicable law, encourages realistic assessments of litigation risk, and helps parties consider settlement proposals from both sides’ perspectives. His style combines direct evaluation with attentive listening, an approachable demeanor, and a focus on meaningful compromise.
How does Judge Mooney’s judicial experience benefit parties in mediation?
During his 27½ years on the bench, Judge Mooney presided over approximately 750 trials involving a wide range of civil and criminal matters. This experience provides him with insight into how evidence is presented, how legal issues may be resolved, and the risks and uncertainties parties face at trial. He uses that perspective to help counsel and clients evaluate their positions and make informed settlement decisions.
Does Judge Mooney have experience mediating employment disputes?
Yes. Judge Mooney has experience with employment matters through his judicial work, including settlement conferences and trials involving workplace disputes. He presided over Jafa-Bodden v. Choudhury, a significant employment and sexual harassment case, and identifies employment law among his principal areas of expertise.
What experience does Judge Mooney have with entertainment litigation
Judge Mooney presided over litigation involving the estate of Jimi Hendrix and a separate dispute concerning rights to the music of Sly Stone. His experience includes complex entertainment-related matters involving contested rights and significant financial interests.
Does Judge Mooney handle civil rights and voting rights disputes?
Yes. Judge Mooney handled civil rights litigation as an Assistant United States Attorney and later presided over significant civil rights matters as a Superior Court judge. His judicial experience includes Jauregui v. City of Palmdale, an important case under the California Voting Rights Act.
How does Judge Mooney approach an impasse during mediation?
Judge Mooney encourages parties to reassess their positions from the opposing side’s perspective and consider whether a proposed settlement provides a meaningful alternative to trial. He emphasizes realistic offers and demands, thoughtful evaluation of litigation risk, and compromise. When a dispute cannot be resolved during the initial session, he follows up to determine whether further negotiations or changed circumstances may create an opportunity for settlement.
Does Judge Mooney serve as an arbitrator?
Yes. Judge Mooney serves as an arbitrator and has been selected in more than 100 uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) arbitrations. His extensive judicial experience informs his approach to evaluating evidence, applying the law, and issuing reasoned decisions.
What distinguishes Judge Mooney from other mediators and arbitrators?
Judge Mooney combines more than four decades of legal experience with 27½ years of judicial service, approximately 750 trials, approximately 300 mediations, and more than 100 UIM arbitration selections. His background as a civil litigator, Assistant United States Attorney, and Superior Court judge provides a broad perspective on complex disputes. He has also received Judge of the Year honors from both CAALA and the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA.
