Profile
Retired since April 2001, Judge Hodge has established a busy ADR practice and is available as a mediator, arbitrator, or private judge. Praised for his diligence, understanding and adaptability, he continues to mediate and arbitrate a broad array of civil matters as was the case while on the bench.
During his 20 years of service to the Alameda County Superior Court, Judge Hodge presided over civil trials and settlement conferences encompassing personal injury, professional negligence, products liability, contracts, wrongful termination, asbestos, environmental and CEQA issues, commercial and consumer fraud, eminent domain and a variety of class actions. He served several years as law and motion judge and also served in the criminal, mental health and juvenile departments.
Judge Hodge has served on the Judicial Council and on four separate occasions has served as Justice Pro Tem of the First District Court of Appeal, authoring nearly 100 opinions.
Educational Background
- Judge Hodge is a 1960 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University
- 1963 graduate of The University of Chicago Law School
Private Practice
- 1979- 1981 Partner with Gordon & Hodge, specializing in entertainment law.
- 1968-1979 Practiced in San Francisco with Hodge & Zweig specializing in criminal defense and entertainment law. Represented a broad spectrum of musicians, novelists, artists, cartoonists, actors and directors including Richard Brautigan, William Hamilton, Steve Miller Band, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Loggins, Joy of Cooking, Commander Cody and many others.
- 1966-1968 Served as a litigation associate with Miller, Starr & Regalia
- 1964-1966 Served as Deputy District Attorney for Contra Costa County handling criminal cases of every variety and magnitude, including major felony trials, murder trials, and consumer fraud trials.
Honors & Awards
- 2013 Named Top Master Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 2011 Named Top 50 Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 2010 Named Top 50 Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 2009 Named Top 50 Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 2008 Named Top 40 Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 2007 Named Top 40 Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 2006 Named Top 30 Neutral in California by the Daily Journal
- 1994 California Superior Court Judge of the Year by California Trial Lawyers Association
- 1991 Trial Judge of the Year by the Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Law Lawyers Association
Non-Judicial Legal Experience
- Judge Hodge has lectured extensively before attorney organizations, environmental groups, at various educational institutions, including The Practising Law Institute, Boalt Hall, University of California at Berkeley, Hastings Law School and Golden Gate Law School.
- He has lectured extensively on “The American River Case” (Environmental Defense Fund v. East Bay Municipal Utilities District), a case decided by Judge Hodge which has spawned extensive legal commentary.
Commentary
- Over the course of a 20-year career on the Alameda County Superior Court, Judge Hodge presided over every type of civil matter imaginable. The quality of his jurisprudential work is typified by his landmark ruling in Environmental Defense Fund v. East Bay Municipal Utility District, a 20 year battle over water rights to the American River. Judge Hodge’s 130 page ruling was hailed by all parties as a “victory” and viewed by the press as a “perfect balancing of competing interests”. The case has become a prototype for the adjudication of complex water disputes, with extensive law review and text book commentary.
- The various awards received by Judge Hodge as a trial judge reflected, in significant part, his role in the settlement of cases. His experience in the trial and settlement of cases provided a sound basis for his current mediation and arbitration practice, for which he continues to receive recognition as one of California’s most accomplished neutrals.
Testimonials
“Judge Hodge knows what he is doing. My clients were impressed.”
