Resume
Hon. Margaret L. Oldendorf (Ret.) joined ADR Services, Inc. in 2024 after nearly 20 years as a Judge of the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. During the last nine years of her judicial career, she presided over a Civil Independent Calendar Court and a Civil Trial Court in Pasadena, overseeing numerous jury and court trials. Throughout her tenure on the bench, Judge Oldendorf presided over a wide array of cases, demonstrating her versatility and proficiency in various areas of the law. From complex business and contract litigation to construction matters, personal injury, medical malpractice, and real property, she has tackled some of the most challenging legal issues with efficiency and impartiality.
Judge Oldendorf’s contributions to the legal community have garnered widespread recognition. She is the recipient of prestigious honors such as the Judicial Civility Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2018 and the Trial Judge of the Year award bestowed by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) in 2019.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Oldendorf practiced civil litigation for over 20 years. Beginning her career at Liebert, Cassidy & Frierson, she developed her skills in labor and employment law, serving cities, counties, community college districts, and K-12 school districts across California. She then joined Adams, Duque, & Hazeltine, where she specialized in representing public agencies in employment litigation as well as First Amendment and other constitutional issues. Her practice expanded to encompass real estate, commercial litigation, business torts, and trust matters. In her final nine years before being appointed to the bench, she served as Staff Counsel and Senior Staff Counsel for the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, diligently representing public pension plans and handling all aspects of civil litigation pending in state and federal courts.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Oldendorf is a strong advocate of legal education and outreach. She has shared her wealth of knowledge and experience through teaching engagements for bench officers on trial practice, jury selection and management, special issues in personal injury cases, and related issues. She has also participated in panels and made presentations to esteemed legal and bar associations on trial practice, judicial perspectives on trial and discovery, and similar topics.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Asbestos Litigation
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Business/Contract
- Catastrophic Injury
- Construction Disputes
- Defamation/Invasion of Privacy
- Easements/Neighbor Disputes
- Intentional Torts
- Landlord/Tenant
- Medical Malpractice
- Nuisance
- Partition
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Real Property
- Receiverships
- Trade Secrets
- Wrongful Death
HONORS & AWARDS
- Trial Judge of the Year, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, 2019
- Judicial Civility Award, American Board of Trial Advocates, Los Angeles Chapter, 2018
JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court 2005-2024
- Civil Independent Calendar Court, Pasadena, 2022-2024
- Civil Trial Court, Pasadena, 2015-2022
- Felony Arraignments/Misdemeanor Trials, Glendale, 2014-2015
- Misdemeanor Trials, Burbank, 2011-2014
- Civil Unlimited Jurisdiction Court, Chatsworth, 2006-2010
- Civil Limited Jurisdiction Court, Chatsworth, 2006
- Misdemeanor Trials, Santa Clarita, 2005
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Los Angeles Employees Retirement Association, Pasadena 1996-2005
Represented public pension plan in all aspects of civil litigation pending in state and federal courts. Legal advisor to Human Relations and Executive Divisions.
- Senior Staff Counsel, 1997-2005
- Staff Counsel, 1996-1997
Bannan, Green, Smith, Frank & Rimac, Los Angeles 1996
Represented private businesses and insurance companies in areas of business litigation in both state and federal courts.
Adams, Duque & Hazeltine, Los Angeles 1987-1996
Represented public agencies in civil litigation in the employment context, as well as First Amendment and other constitutional issues. Litigation in other areas included real estate, commercial litigation, business torts, trusts, and land use.
- Partner, 1993-1996
- Hiring Partner, 1994-1996
- Associate, 1987-1993
Liebert, Cassidy & Frierson, Los Angeles 1983-1987
Principal practice areas involved labor and employment matters for cities and counties, community college districts, and K-12 school districts throughout California.
- Associate, 1984-1987
- Law Clerk, 1983-1984
EDUCATION
- Mediating the Litigated Case, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution 2020
- J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles 1984
- B.A. in Liberal Studies, California State University, Fullerton 1981
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Steering Committee, Loyola Law School Civil Justice Program, 2006-Present
- California Judges Association, 2005-Present
- Los Angeles Superior Court Judges’ Association, 2005-Present
- Cowboy Lawyers Association, 1998-Present
TEACHING & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Judge Oldendorf has taught numerous courses for bench officers on trial practice, jury selection and management, special issues in personal injury cases, and related issues for the Judicial Council of California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER), and the Los Angeles Superior Court Judicial Education Seminars (JES). Additionally, she has participated in panels and delivered presentations to numerous legal and bar associations covering a range of topics including trial practice, judicial perspectives on trial and discovery, trial objections, and other pertinent legal issues.