Hon. Patricia Schnegg, Ret.
Mediator

Hon. Patricia Schnegg, Ret.

Candid assessments, a judge’s command of the issues, and the persistence to reconvene until the parties reach resolution.

Experience15 years on the bench
Cases handled6,000+ mediations
PracticeVirtually every type of civil dispute

About Judge Schnegg

Judge Schnegg has mediated more than 6,000 cases over the course of her career, including over 2,000 during her time on the Los Angeles Superior Court and more than 4,000 in private practice since retiring from the bench in 2015. She serves as a mediator across virtually every type of civil dispute.

Judge Schnegg joined the Los Angeles Superior Court after more than 23 years at a general civil litigation firm, where her clients included plaintiffs and defendants alike. She spent her final two and a half years on the bench running a dedicated settlement department in Santa Monica and mediating cases through the court’s CRASH Personal Injury, Business, and Employment Programs. Before her appointment, she led the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles as president. On the bench, she stayed involved with the bar and served on numerous court committees.

Parties and counsel know Judge Schnegg for a work ethic that doesn’t end when the session does. If a case doesn’t settle, she offers to reconvene on her own time, evenings and weekends included. Attorneys value her sharp grasp of the law and the warmth she brings to every room, and many become repeat clients.

Areas of Focus

  • Business Contractual
  • Catastrophic Torts
  • Employment
  • Habitability
  • Homeowners Association
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury
  • Sexual Assaults
  • Wrongful Death

Career

  • 2015–presentFull-time Neutral
  • 2000–2015Judge, Los Angeles County Superior CourtSettlement Judge, Santa Monica (2013–2015); Supervising Judge, Northwest District and Criminal Division (2008–2012); CRASH Personal Injury, Business, and Employment Settlement Programs (2013–2014)
  • 1977–2000Managing Partner, Knapp, Marsh, Jones & DoranGeneral civil litigation, including contract law, real property, administrative law, and public agency law

Judicial Service

  • Executive Committee, Member (2008–2013)
  • Grand Jury Committee, Chair; Criminal Court & Court Services Committee, Chair; Operations & Personnel & Budget Committee, Member (2011–2013)
  • Judicial Council Criminal Advisory Committee, Member (2011–2013)
  • Court Contraction Committee / Criminal Court Contraction Plan, Member (2011–2012)
  • Trial Jurors Committee, Chair (2006–2011)
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Informal Complaint Policy, Los Angeles Superior Court, Member
  • Presided over Teen Court at Venice High School (2005–2015)

Education

  • J.D., Loyola University of Los Angeles (1977): St. Thomas More Honor Society; Dean’s List all semesters; Treasurer, Student Bar Association
  • B.A., Loyola Marymount University (1974): summa cum laude; President, Student Body Judicial Council; Member, Gryphon’s Circle Campus Service Organization; University President’s Citation at Graduation; Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society

Professional Affiliations

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, President (1999)
  • Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Former President
  • Women Lawyers Public Action Grant Committee, Former President
  • California Judges Association, Board of Directors (2009–2011)
  • California Women Lawyers, Board of Governors (1990–1991)
  • National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations, Board of Directors (1987–1990)
  • American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Legal Assistants, Member (1985–1988)
  • Business Trial Lawyers Association, Membership Committee (1992–1993)
  • Public Counsel, Board of Directors (1996–2000)

Civic & Community Service

  • Board of Airport Commissioners, Vice President (1993–2000)
  • Loyola Marymount University, Alumni Board of Directors and Board of Regents (1996–2011)
  • Ramona Convent, Board of Trustees (1994–2008); Alumnae Association, Director (1980–1982)
  • Downtown Women’s Center, Board of Directors (1993–1996)
  • Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, Board of Directors (1994–1995)

Achievements & Awards

  • Judge of the Year, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section (2012)
  • Judge of the Year, Benjamin Aranda III Lifetime Achievement Award, Mexican American Bar Association (2011)
  • Advancement of Women Award, Loyola Law School Alumnae Association (2002)
  • Distinguished Alumnae of the Year, Loyola Law School (2001)
  • Alumna of the Year, Ramona Convent
  • American Board of Trial Advocates Award (1977)

Teaching & Speaking

  • Lecturer, “Judge’s Guide to Difficult Attorneys,” Center for Judiciary Education and Research (CJER)
  • Lecturer, “Bail & Arraignments,” Judicial College
  • Lecturer, “Jury Issues,” Los Angeles Superior Court
  • Faculty Member, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Southern California Deposition Program

Outside the Office

Judge Schnegg is a car enthusiast whose interests range from vintage cars to off-roading vehicles. She and her husband recently trained at the Bronco off-roading academy in Nevada, and she also participated in the AMG Driving Academy at Laguna Seca Raceway. A longtime Los Angeles Dodgers season ticket holder, she enjoys attending games and spending time with her husband, Dr. William Oppenheim, and her daughter, Jennifer.

Back to Our Neutrals