Hon. Mac Amos
Education
U.C.L.A. Law School, JD, 1969
Stanford University, B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1965
Mediation and Advanced Mediation Courses, U.C.L.A., 2002
Advanced Mediation, California Center for Judicial Education & Research, 2003
Legal Experience
Engaged in the private practice of law from 1969-1971, 1974-1982 with emphasis on litigation. Jury and non-jury trials included state and federal court representation in complex business disputes, insurance coverage cases, major personal injury suits, professional negligence, bankruptcy litigation and representation of defendants in white collar prosecutions involving securities fraud, tax evasion and customs fraud.
Served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of California from 1971 - 1974. Handled both criminal and civil trials. Prosecuted in excess of 50 jury trials at the District Court Level and appeared numerous times before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Received Commissioner's Citation, U.S. Customs Service (1974) for prosecution of Litton Industries for customs fraud; recipient of letters of recommendation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service in the prosecution of their cases. Civil cases included medical malpractice, eminent domain, and federal tort claims actions.
Judicial Experience
Judge, San Diego Superior Court, 1998-2003; Assigned to independent civil calendar, 1999-2003.
Judge, San Diego Municipal Court, 1982-1998; Presiding Judge, 1989-1990.
Justice, pro tem. Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District (1995, 1999)
During the last four years served as an independent civil calendar judge in the central division. In that assignment handled all types of civil trials including medical malpractice, employment, professional negligence, complex business disputes, eminent domain, product liability, wrongful termination, property disputes, major personal injury, premises liability, toxic torts, class actions, and insurance coverage. As part of this assignment handled all related law and motion, discovery disputes, ex-parte matters, settlement conferences and mediations.
Served twice by assignment as a justice on the Fourth District Court of Appeal. As part of the last assignment conducted settlement conferences for cases pending before the appellate court.
Other judicial experience includes handling numerous criminal trials and serving as a member of the "Three Strikes Team" which helped to facilitate the implementation of the three strikes law in San Diego. This three judge team handled the majority of the three strike cases in San Diego when the law first came into existence. In addition, as a municipal court judge, handled numerous assignments including presiding over the civil department and conducting hundreds of settlement conferences.
Additional Activities & Qualifications
In 1994 was elected president of the statewide California Judges Association representing Judges in legislative proceedings in Sacramento and serving as an advisory member of the Judicial Council. Also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the California Judges Association for three years (1991-1994), the Policy Coordination Committee, Judicial Council (1994), and the Trial Court Budget Commission (1995-1998).
Taught as an adjunct professor for over ten years at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Courses taught include trial practice, evidence, and expert testimony & scientific evidence.
Also lectured or served as a panelist numerous times. The most recent being the CEB program entitled Discovery Strategies, Tools & Tactics.
This page was last modified in June 2007
Disclaimer: Please be advised that the contents of this web site and any other statements contained herein are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be represented as legal advice in any way.