Patrick Walsh

About Patrick Walsh

With decades of experience as a federal trial attorney and United States Magistrate Judge, I bring practical insight and disciplined analysis to my work as a mediator, arbitrator, special master, and discovery referee at Signature Resolution. Having handled and resolved thousands of civil matters, I focus on quickly identifying the core issues in dispute and guiding parties toward efficient and well reasoned resolution.Before joining Signature Resolution, I served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California, including as Chief Magistrate Judge. In that role, I oversaw a wide range of civil matters, including business disputes, civil rights, employment, intellectual property, environmental, forfeiture, contract, and class action cases. Settlement conferences were a significant part of my judicial work, and I developed a reputation for thorough preparation, direct engagement with counsel, and practical case assessment.Earlier in my career, I served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles, handling both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation, and as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice. Those experiences sharpened my ability to evaluate risk, manage complex factual records, and present candid assessments when appropriate.My approach to alternative dispute resolution combines careful listening with clear, straightforward evaluation. I treat each matter individually, recognizing that every case presents unique legal and practical considerations. Whether serving as a neutral in complex commercial litigation or overseeing discovery as a special master, my objective is to help parties move past impasse and toward resolution grounded in realism and mutual understanding.Practice Areas:Business and Commercial Contracts | Civil Rights | Employment | Healthcare | Insurance | Intellectual Property | Legal Malpractice | Patent Litigation | Product Liability | Real Estate | Securities | Special Master Duties

Experience

1. Neutral

   American Arbitration Association

   Jan 2022 — Present

   Employment | Commercial | Complex |

Education

• University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

  Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration

  1984

• Northern Illinois University

  Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

  1981