Following nearly 14 years of distinguished service on the bench for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division, Honorable Andrew Guilford has retired and is available to serve as a mediator, arbitrator, and private judge, including special master assignments, and case evaluator.
During his judicial tenure, Judge Guilford sat by designation on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and is one of only two Central District Judges to have been invited to sit at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He served as one of the few Patent Pilot Program judges in the Central District. As a federal judge, Guilford heard over a hundred trials, sometimes sitting without a jury, on matters including patent, trademark, copyright, defective products, securities, employment, civil rights, professional liability, class actions, MDL, and of course, criminal matters.
Before his appointment in 2006, Judge Guilford served as an arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem for the Orange County Superior Court, leveraging the experience he gained as a trial lawyer for more than 31 years. At Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton for his entire career as a lawyer, he tried complex commercial cases across a variety of industries, such as major league sports, medical devices, banking and finance, real property, telecommunications, and entertainment. At a young age, he was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Judge Guilford’s love for the community and passion for giving back is evidenced in his more than four decades and countless hours lecturing and authoring for law schools, religious entities, legal publications, bar associations, and judicial organizations both nationally and internationally. As a trial lawyer and judge, he has received many prestigious awards from various bar associations, including the Orange County Bar Association’s Franklin G. West Award—the organization’s highest honor, presented to outstanding attorneys and judges whose lifetime achievements have advanced justice and law.
Judge Guilford has earned a reputation for his compassionate, intellectual, fair, intuitive, and hardworking demeanor, all qualities he brings to the private sector. One attorney commented: “Judge Guilford always has been prepared, committed and well respected. Following many years of private practice on complex matters and on the bench, he treated lawyers with respect and gave them the opportunity to represent their clients, while achieving justice. He was always actively engaged and personable, and he operated with supreme verve. These attributes certainly will make him highly in demand, as both a private judge and a mediator, and rightly so.”
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. Andrew J. Guilford, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.
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Judge Guilford’s interests are varied and include traveling, writing, poetry, photography, theater, and sports, being a fan of UCLA, the Dodgers, Lakers, and Rams, and playing basketball and tennis. Time with his family is most valued, and he is proud of his grandson and two granddaughters.
"Judge Guilford was a fabulous mediator. Very patient, even-keeled, and knowledgeable about the "push- button" issues of the case. We would utilize Judicate West's services again."
- Attorney on a Real Property Case
"Judge Guilford was terrific. I look forward to working with him again and also will definitely refer him to my colleagues."
- Partner and Trial Lawyer Focused on Complex Business Litigation
"Judge Guilford is well known and respected for his legal acumen and willingness to commit his time, energy and skill to even the toughest, most complex cases. Judge Guilford solves problems and tackles emerging issues as demonstrated by his efforts to found an Intellectual Property focused Inn of Court and participation in the Central District’s patent pilot program. Judge Guilford is a dedicated volunteer to the legal community having led the Orange County Bar Association, Public Law Center, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. Judge Guilford has used his position to promote access to justice throughout California."
- Attorney in Orange County
"An important leader and mentor for the Orange County Bar for decades. He has great insights and perspectives from both sides of the bench that will make him a highly valued neutral."
- Attorney in Orange County
"Judicate West is quite fortunate to have Judge Guilford join its team. He is the cream of the crop – one of the best minds around and impeccably fair and thoughtful. The judiciary’s loss is Judicate West’s gain."
- Attorney in Los Angeles
"Judge Guilford's manner was excellent. We have a very sensitive mediation with a young woman who alleged she had been sexually assaulted by her employer. She was terrified to be in the same building as her former employer and Judge Guilford not only made sure to keep them apart but was patient, kind, and understanding while still providing an insight into what she faced going forward. He is incredibly bright and did an excellent job to move the parties toward resolution. Without reservation, he is one of the finest mediators I have had in 30 years of practice. "
- Attorney on a Sexual Assault Case
"Judge Guilford’s distinguished career was marked by intelligence, rationality, efficiency, and a focus on the human side of legal issues."
- Attorney in Orange County
"Judge Guilford was great at coming up with creative ideas to settle the case that we hadn't thought of. He was quick to understand the facts and the issues. He was terrific!
"
- Attorney on a Consumer Class Action Case
1925 Century Park East
Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 310.442.2100
Fax :
601 S. Figueroa
Ste 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213.223.1113
Fax : 213.223.1114
980 9th Street
Suite 2200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.394.8490
Fax : 916.394.8495
402 W. Broadway
Ste 2400
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.814.1966
Fax : 619.814.1967
1851 East First Street
Ste 1600
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714.834.1340
Fax : 714.834.1344
2023.6.1.2rp
