Introduction
Judge Di Cesare draws on nearly 49 years of legal experience and brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and compassion to the private sector to serve as a mediator, arbitrator, and private judge. During his two decades of distinguished service for the Orange County Superior Court, Judge Di Cesare presided over hundreds of jury trials, non-jury trials, and settlement conferences. He served on the Unlimited Civil Panel for 15 years and presided over a wide variety of civil disputes including personal injury, real estate, employment, eminent domain, professional negligence, and complex cases. Before and during the pandemic, he served as Civil Supervising Judge for almost two years. The court was able to quickly pivot to provide a courtroom for civil cases and he is extremely proud of the number of cases tried during that time. As Supervising Judge of Civil, he managed all civil case types including complex civil matters and he was also responsible for policy development and getting matters out to trial. As a Complex Civil Panel Judge, he managed class actions, wage and hour, PAGA, water rights, construction, and many others.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, he spent almost 29 years as a civil practitioner handling all types of personal injury and business disputes. Judge Di Cesare has a profound appreciation and respect for the legal system and the attorneys who practice within it. In addition to serving in various leadership roles including the Board of the Consumer Attorneys of California, Public Law Center, Board Member and President of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, and Board or Judicial Advisory Board of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers for more than 10 years, he has been a mentor to law students and young lawyers throughout his career.
As an attorney, he was an active participant in both the Orange County Court Temporary Judge Program and the Orange County Court Arbitration Program. In his judicial capacity, he served on the Orange County Superior Court Executive Committee as a member or alternate for more than 10 years and was the chair of the court’s State of the Court Program. For years, he was the co-chairperson and speaker for the Orange County College of Trial Advocacy. He has presented numerous lectures on substantive and procedural topics to bar associations and law school programs. Judge Di Cesare’s dedication has been recognized by his peers, most notably as a recipient of the Orange County Bar Association’s highest honor, the Franklin G. West Award. He believes that mediation and resolution of matters, whenever possible, is an integral part of the Justice System.
Practice Areas
Experience Summary
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. James J. Di Cesare, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.
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Hobbies & Interests
Judge Di Cesare enjoys any activities that involve any of his 10 grandchildren. Travel is always enjoyable, especially when accompanied by his wife of over 50 years. Food and wine are an Italian must and he also enjoys working on his golf skills when time permits.
Testimonials
"Judge Di Cesare is an excellent mediator who sets the tone for both parties and helps set expectations for the attorneys' clients. He makes the attorneys more credible to their own clients based on his experience with the attorneys. He figures out what it is that will get the case resolved and gets it resolved nearly every time. 10/10 mediator, and would recommend to anyone."
- Attorney at a Top Personal Injury Firm with Offices Throughout California
"This was my first time with Judge Di Cesare. What a great mediator. I was thoroughly impressed by how well he knew the case, how good he was with the people involved, and his ability to resolve it. I thought it was going to be a difficult mediation but he made it simple. I will definitely use him again."
- Personal Injury Attorney at a top Orange County Law Firm
"I have known Judge Di Cesare for over 30 years. Our firm has litigated with and against him when he was in private practice and I have appeared before him often after he was appointed to the bench for numerous trials and settlement conferences. He was the consummate litigator and judge. He is experienced, fair, and of the highest character "
- Partner at a National Law Firm
"The Judge is a good man. He did his job very well!"
- Attorney on a Real Estate/Real Property Case
"Judge Di Cesare was known as an attorney who was trustworthy, knowledgeable, and experienced, and his reputation was only enhanced when he went on the bench. He is familiar with jury verdicts and the law and can advise all parties with confidence and assurance. He is a judge that both sides can trust."
- Founding Partner of an Employment Law Firm
"Judge Di Cesare came prepared and had a fantastic (and persuasive) bedside manner. We would definitely use him again. One of my favorite Judges when he was on the bench. Now, he's one of my favorite mediators."
- Attorney With Over Two Decades of Experience
"Judge Di Cesare is my go-to mediator. He works magic in mediation for the parties."
- Attorney on a Medical Malpractice Case
"Judge Di Cesare is an exciting addition to the Judicate West roster of excellent mediators. As a litigator, he was tenacious, but an objective evaluator. As a trial judge, he had the right judicial temperament and experience that made trying a case in his courtroom a true joy. He has always been an excellent evaluator, and with his temperament and style, he will make an excellent mediator."
- Managing Partner at a Southern California Law Firm
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