Hon. Kenneth J. Medel (Ret.)

Hon. Kenneth J. Medel (Ret.) brings 14 years of judicial experience and 23 years of civil litigation experience as a trial attorney to Signature Resolution’s neutral panel. With this extensive involvement in civil law and a virtue of empathetic listening, he enjoys an ability to effectively communicate with parties and attorneys to achieve meaningful resolutions to challenging disputes.

With a rich background as a prosecutor, civil litigation trial attorney and judge with the San Diego County Superior Court, Judge Medel provides an innovative approach to mediation. His mediation philosophy is centered on a comprehensive understanding of the unique circumstances of each case and the importance of respecting the positions of the parties and attorneys with equal care and consideration. Combining both facilitative and authoritative approaches to mediation, Judge Medel strives to achieve fair and timely solutions for all involved. ​

Judge Medel began his career as a deputy district attorney in San Diego, where he completed 40 jury trials as well as countless court trials and other evidentiary hearings. He routinely engaged in settlement discussions, often involving judges and was known for his measured and reasonable approach to resolving cases. A significant milestone in his early career was his selection to one of the country’s first street gang prosecution units, focused exclusively on prosecuting violent crimes committed by local street gangs. Overcoming the daunting challenges presented by these difficult cases formed the cornerstone of Judge Medel’s philosophy that successful resolution of a case can be achieved by extensive preparation, by human understanding and by formulating and following a specific plan. ​

In 1987, Judge Medel made a pivotal shift, recruited away from the District Attorney’s office by the civil litigation firm of Ault, Midlam & Deuprey. He specialized in medical malpractice defense, first as an associate, then a partner, while also representing police agencies and entertainment venues in civil lawsuits. His work included exposure at various times to automobile collision litigation, construction defect and insurance coverage law.

After 10 years in a big firm environment, Judge Medel and an esteemed partner, formed Medel & Rawers, a small civil litigation firm. In 2001, Judge Medel established his own firm, the Medel Law Firm, supervising three associate attorneys and specializing in medical negligence civil suits and Medical Board licensure actions. The Medel Law Firm quickly gained an excellent reputation in medical malpractice and Medical Board law and continued to represent entertainment establishments, municipal police agencies and a San Diego Native American Tribe in civil litigation matters.​

Over the years Judge Medel has also represented plaintiffs in automobile/motorcycle accident cases, in employment disputes and in suits involving false arrest or imprisonment. These cases enhanced Judge Medel’s sense of balance necessary for a deep appreciation of both sides of a controversy. Judge Medel carried this experience, characterized by fairness and empathy, into his judicial career for the San Diego Superior Court. He was appointed in 2010 by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, serving a total of 14 years.  Over the last seven years Judge Medel managed a high-volume civil independent calendaring department, presiding over scores of judge and jury trials.​

Raised in Southern California, Judge Medel devoted much of his youth to performance-based activities such as formal competitive sports and a working musical band. This carried into his college days where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of California, Irvine, but also studied drama his entire senior year. In 1976, encouraged by his father, he applied to law school and obtained his JD from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1979. His first exposure to the courtroom in a law school trial techniques course reignited his passion for theatrical performance and inspired a career-long obsession with jury trials, both as an attorney and a judge.​

Beyond the courtroom, Judge Medel has been deeply involved in the legal community.  He served on the Board of Directors and as President of the University of San Diego School of Law Alumni Association and on the San Diego Defense Lawyers Board of Directors. He enjoys decades-long involvement with the San Diego Inn of Court (a hands-on trial techniques program for lawyers), the San Diego Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Welsh Chapter of the American Inns of Court, serving on the Executive Board and as President for all three organizations.  He has lectured extensively on a variety of civil litigation, evidence and ethics topics to legal organizations in San Diego and at all three San Diego law schools and has been the presiding judge over countless mock trials at both the high school, college and law school levels, and consistently for the San Diego ABOTA Masters of Trial program.  He was a founding father of, and for seven years coached, the Patrick Henry High School Mock Trial Team in San Diego. ​

As an attorney, Judge Medel received Top Lawyer recognition from the San Diego Daily Transcript and was awarded Attorney of the Year by the San Diego Defense Lawyers Association. He was honored as the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego’s 2024 Judge of the Year, recognizing his dedication to and impact on the legal community. His community involvement also includes a seven-year commitment to the Mid-City Little League Baseball organization, as team manager, umpire in chief, and member of board of directors.