Hon. Suzanne H. Segal (Ret.)

Hon. Suzanne H. Segal (Ret.) brings more than three decades of distinguished experience in federal practice to her work helping parties resolve complex disputes with precision, pragmatism, and balance. Known for her preparation, insight, and persistence, she approaches every matter with the same focus and discipline that defined her years on the bench. Her style is direct yet collaborative, emphasizing efficiency, communication, and respect for the parties and their counsel.

Judge Segal’s experience as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California, including four years as Chief Magistrate Judge, provides her with a comprehensive perspective on the dynamics of federal litigation. Over nearly two decades on the bench, she presided over numerous trials, evidentiary hearings, motions, and discovery conferences across a broad range of subject areas. She served as a settlement judge in hundreds of matters involving business and insurance disputes, intellectual property and patent claims, employment and civil rights cases, and complex tort and class actions.

Her extensive background in intellectual property, securities, and healthcare matters further distinguishes her among neutrals. She has handled a wide array of disputes involving copyright and trademark infringement, patent litigation, False Claims Act and Medicare reimbursement actions, and class actions. She has also served as a special master and discovery referee in high-value cases involving product liability, mass tort, and insurance coverage issues.

Before her judicial appointment, Judge Segal spent twelve years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office. She handled complex contract, employment, civil rights, and tort cases, and also brought consumer and civil rights enforcement actions on behalf of the Department of Justice. As Chief of Civil Appeals from 1999 to 2002, she oversaw the office’s appellate practice and supervised numerous significant cases before the Ninth Circuit. Earlier in her career, she practiced at Dewey Ballantine and Adams, Duque & Hazeltine, where she represented clients in business and commercial litigation.

Judge Segal is known for her practical approach, thoughtful preparation, and persistent dedication to helping parties find closure. She is recognized by colleagues and counsel alike for her ability to manage complex factual and procedural issues while fostering a constructive environment that encourages dialogue and resolution.

In addition to her dispute resolution work, Judge Segal has served as a Lecturer in Law at UCLA School of Law and Loyola Law School and frequently speaks on mediation, civility, and effective advocacy. Her contributions have been honored by the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association with its Distinguished Public Service Award, and she is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

Judge Segal holds a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Claremont McKenna College.

She brings to her role as a neutral the same analytical rigor, persistence, and sense of balance that defined her judicial service, helping parties resolve their disputes efficiently and effectively.