Judge Denton was a full-time civil jury trial lawyer for 26 years prior to serving as a San Diego Superior Court Judge from 2001 until 2013. While his tenure on the bench, he served as an Independent Calendar Judge for both the Civil and Family Law Divisions and as the Assistant Supervising Judge of the Civil Division. As an Independent Calendar trial judge, he was responsible for managing a running caseload of up to 1000 civil cases of all types including complex litigation matters. He presided over law and motion, case management and trial of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, complex real estate litigation, class actions, business, and commercial disputes, medical and legal malpractice matters, employment and harassment cases, as well as insurance bad father matters. He was known as a "lawyer's judge" and was highly regarded for his pragmatic, fair, and balanced courtroom management style.
Since joining Judicate West, Judge Denton has handled numerous mediations, arbitrations, and discovery master assignments on cases involving complex insurance coverage, subrogation, legal malpractice, real estate, and virtually every type of civil matter from cyber-stalking to catastrophic death and injury. He is best known for his energetic and pragmatic approach to problem-solving as well as his tenacious drive to resolve difficult cases. Many attorneys comment that his perspectives as an experienced judge and litigator for over 40 years bring a valuable combination of perspective and judgment to the mediation process.
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. Steven R. Denton, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.
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Judge Denton frequently enjoys international travel with his wife who is an accomplished litigator, deep sea fishing, running, skiing, golf and coordinating the activity, school and athletic schedules for his two young adopted foster children who are 5 & 7. Despite being a "weekend golfer" Judge Denton is lucky and has two "holes in one" and one "eagle" to his credit. He spent most of his youth overseas and went to high school in Berlin, Germany arriving in 1961 as the "Wall" was being built. He also enjoys spending his free time with his older daughter who is a Federal Prosecutor in Wash. D.C. and a son who is a 3d digital animator for a major film studio.
"This case was languishing and heading towards a needless and expensive trial. [He] came in and gave both parties [his] experience and insight and that brought the case to a complete resolution."
- Attorney on a Family Law Case
"Judge Denton was very well prepared to mediate our complex, three party dispute. He was tenacious with all parties and had the persistence to keep the process moving until the parties could reach a settlement. I was very impressed with his intellect and style."
- Attorney on a Securities Case
"Judge Denton, having significant litigation experience, is ideally suited to act as a catalyst in resolving cases. He recently applied his talents and resolved what was sure to be a highly contentious high stakes employment matter. He acted promptly, before a complaint was even filed, convincing the parties and their attorneys that a mutually agreeable known result is a far better solution than years of expensive litigation leading to an uncertain result."
- Attorney, Irvine, CA
"Judge Denton was very intelligent, and he was able to assess the issues and positions of the parties with surgical precision in a very short time, all while demonstrating the kindness and graciousness required by the situation. "
- Partner at a Personal Injury Law Firm
"Judge Denton did a fantastic job in persuading both parties, which resulted in a very fair settlement. I highly recommend him."
- San Diego Civil Litigation Attorney
"Denton is about the best you have."
- Attorney on a Dog Bite Case
"This was my first Zoom mediation and I thought it was very well done"
- Attorney on a Workers Compensation Case
"[Judge Denton] understood the issues, worked doggedly to get to resolution."
- Attorney on a Business Transactional Case
601 S. Figueroa
Ste 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213.223.1113
Fax : 213.223.1114
980 9th Street
Suite 2200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.394.8490
Fax : 916.394.8495
402 W. Broadway
Ste 2400
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.814.1966
Fax : 619.814.1967
1851 East First Street
Ste 1600
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714.834.1340
Fax : 714.834.1344
1925 Century Park East
Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 800.488.8805
Fax :
2023.6.1.2rt
