napa judicial assignments

Jury Service

• Traffic Tickets
• Court Calendars

Tentative Rulings

• Criminal Records
• Online Services
• Forms & Fees
• Holidays & Hours
• Small Claims
• General Info
• Community Outreach
• Court Reporters
• Judicial Assignments
• Local Rules

Judicial Branch of California

Bienvenido a la corte superior de napa:, servicios en español, napa county superior court, case lookup / pay your ticket, daily court calendar, restraining orders, domestic violence.

Domestic violence restraining orders can be filed using the courts step-by-step interview system, Guide and File, to file with the court.

Gun Violence

Gun violence restraining orders can be filed with the courts using the step-by-step interview system, Guide and File, to file with the court.

Civil Harassment

Civil harassment restraining orders can be filed using the courts step-by-step interview system, Guide and File, to file with the court.

Remote Appearances

Remote court appearances.

Appear in court remotely using Zoom

Remote Mediation Sessions

Attend mediation remotely using Zoom

Electronic Filing

The court accepts e-filing for your filing convenience. You may also visit our court divisions to file or pay in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with a drop box available until 5:00 p.m.

Guide & File

Follow step-by-step “do-it-yourself” interviews to complete selected legal forms and file electronically, print and file by mail, or file in person at the court.

The court accepts electronically filed documents in Civil, Family, Probate, Criminal, Traffic, Juvenile Delinquency, and Juvenile Dependency cases.

Other Services

Mediation services & online orientation.

Go to the Mediation Orientation Program.

Tentative Rulings are posted by 3:00 p.m. daily for the next court day's hearings. Oral argument on matters for which a tentative ruling has been posted will be permitted only if a party notifies the court and all other parties by 4:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing that the party intends to appear.

Research and Records

View procedures for case or administrative records search requests.

Family Law Ex Parte Application Results

Servicio de Jurado

Programa de Orientación a la Mediación

News, Updates & Notices

Napa county civil grand jury recruitment, gov. newsom nominates the hon. monique langhorne for the court of appeal, judge victoria wood announces retirement, napa county superior court celebrates juror appreciation week, recruitment kicks off for the 2023-24 napa county civil grand jury, criminal courthouse.

1111 Third Street Napa , CA 94559 United States

Historic Courthouse

825 Brown Street Napa , CA 94559 United States

Juvenile Hall Courthouse

2350 Old Sonoma Road Napa , CA 94559 United States

Our Mission

It is the mission of the Napa Superior Court to render fair and equal justice; to inspire trust and confidence in the legal system; and to serve the public with courtesy and efficiency.

Community Information

Court Facility Equal Access Policy Courthouse Tours How to Safely Turn in Firearms and Ammunition Juvenile Justice Commission Limited English Proficiency Plan Temporary Judge Program Civil, Estates, and Family Law Voluntary Mediation

Social Law Library

• Judicial Assignments
• For Government
• For Large Law Offices
• For Solo & Small Firms
• Legal Alerts
• Slip Opinions
• Web Design & Hosting

JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS

Probate and family court (updated daily at mass.gov), superior court, boston municipal court.

Get Email Updates from Ballotpedia

First Name *

Please complete the Captcha above

Ballotpedia on Facebook

  Share this page

  Follow Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia on Twitter

Superior court of napa county, california.

• 1.2 Former judges
• 1.3 Judicial selection
• 1.4 See also
• 1.5 External links
• 2.1 Selection method
• 2.2.1 Primary election
• 2.2.2 General election
• 2.3 Footnotes

The Superior Court of Napa County is one of 58 Superior Courts in California .

• Mark Boessenecker
• Joseph J. Solga
• Rodney G. Stone

[1]

Former judges

• Raymond A. Guadagni
• Stephen Thomas Kroyer
• Diane M. Price
• Francisca P. Tisher
• Michael S. Williams

Judicial selection

The method of judicial selection for the California Superior Courts is officially nonpartisan election of judges , though many judges join the court via gubernatorial appointment . Once judges are appointed, they compete in the next general election following appointment.

If an incumbent Superior Court judge files for re-election and draws no opponent, that race does not appear on the ballot. If the race is contested, the candidate who wins more than 50% of the vote is elected. If no candidate receives more than 50%, the top two compete in a runoff in the general election in November. [2]

• Napa County, California
• California Superior Courts

External links

• Website of the Superior Court of Napa County
• California Courts, Trial Court Roster

California is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. To learn more about judicial selection in California, click here .

• California local trial court judicial elections, 2024
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2023
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2022
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2021
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2020
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2019
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2018
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2017
• California local trial court judicial elections, 2016
• California judicial elections, 2014
• California judicial elections, 2012
• California judicial elections, 2010

Selection method

The 1,535 judges of the California Superior Courts compete in nonpartisan races in even-numbered years. If a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the June primary election, he or she is declared the winner; if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff between the top two candidates is held during the November general election. [3] [4] [5] [6]

If an incumbent judge is running unopposed in an election, his or her name does not appear on the ballot. The judge is automatically re-elected following the general election. [3]

The chief judge of any given superior court is selected by peer vote of the court's members. He or she serves in that capacity for one or two years, depending on the county. [3]

Qualifications Candidates are required to have 10 years of experience as a law practitioner or as a judge of a court of record. [3]

Election rules

Primary election.

Only candidates for the superior courts compete in primary elections.

• If a superior court judge runs unopposed for re-election, his or her name does not appear on the ballot and he or she is automatically re-elected following the general election. [7] [8]
• Write-in candidates may file to run against an incumbent within 10 days after the filing deadline passes if they are able to secure enough signatures (between 100 and 600, depending on the number of registered voters in the county). In that case, the incumbent would appear on the general election ballot along with an option to vote for a write-in candidate. [8]
• In contested races, the candidate who receives a majority of all the votes in the primary wins the election. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the primary, the top two compete in the November general election. [9]

General election

• Superior court candidates who advance from the primary election compete in the general election.
• Superior court incumbents facing competition from write-in candidates appear on the ballot. [8] [9]
• ↑ California Courts, "Trial Courts Roster," accessed November 11, 2016
• ↑ Los Angeles Times , "Safeguarding California's judicial election process," August 21, 2011
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 American Judicature Society , "Methods of Judicial Selection: California," archived October 2, 2014
• ↑ California Elections Code , "Section 8203," accessed May 21, 2014
• ↑ California Elections Code , "Section 8140-8150," accessed May 21, 2014
• ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 California Elections Code, "Section 8203," accessed April 22, 2014
• ↑ 9.0 9.1 California Elections Code, "Section 8140-8150," accessed April 22, 2014
• California superior courts
• Napa County California, Superior Court

Ballotpedia features 491,266 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Click here to contact our editorial staff or report an error . For media inquiries, contact us here . Please donate here to support our continued expansion.

Information about voting

• What's on my ballot?
• Where do I vote?
• How do I register to vote?
• How do I request a ballot?
• When do I vote?
• When are polls open?
• Who represents me?

2024 Elections

• Presidential election
• Presidential candidates
• Congressional elections
• Ballot measures
• State executive elections
• State legislative elections
• State judge elections
• Local elections
• School board elections

2025 Elections

• State executives
• State legislatures
• State judges
• Municipal officials
• School boards
• Election legislation tracking
• State trifectas
• State triplexes
• Redistricting
• Pivot counties
• State supreme court partisanship
• Polling indexes

Public Policy

• Administrative state
• Criminal justice policy
• Education policy
• Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
• Unemployment insurance
• Work requirements
• Policy in the states

Information for candidates

• Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey
• How do I run for office?
• How do I update a page?
• Election results
• Send us candidate contact info

Get Engaged

• Donate to Ballotpedia
• Report an error
• Newsletters
• Ballotpedia podcast
• Ballotpedia Boutique
• Media inquiries
• Premium research services
• 2024 Elections calendar
• 2024 Presidential election
• Biden Administration
• Recall elections
• Ballotpedia News

SITE NAVIGATION

• Ballotpedia's Sample Ballot
• 2024 Congressional elections
• 2024 State executive elections
• 2024 State legislative elections
• 2024 State judge elections
• 2024 Local elections
• 2024 Ballot measures
• Upcoming elections
• 2025 Statewide primary dates
• 2025 State executive elections
• 2025 State legislative elections
• 2025 Local elections
• 2025 Ballot measures
• Cabinet officials
• Executive orders and actions
• Key legislation
• Judicial nominations
• White House senior staff
• U.S. President
• U.S. Congress
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Federal courts
• State government
• Municipal government
• Election policy
• Running for office
• Ballotpedia's weekly podcast
• About Ballotpedia
• Editorial independence
• Job opportunities
• News and events
• Privacy policy
• Disclaimers

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.

• Copy article link

Napa Superior Court Judge Victoria Wood to retire at end of the year

Katie debenedetti.

• Sep 29, 2023
• Sep 29, 2023 Updated Nov 4, 2023

Napa County Superior Court Judge Victoria Wood, second from left, was helped into her robe by her son, Eli, and daughter, Eden, at her 2018 investiture ceremony. Wood will retire from the bench at year's end.

Napa Superior Court Judge Victoria Wood announced Friday that she will be retiring from the bench at the end of 2023. Her final day will be Dec. 22.

Wood has served on the court since being appointed by California's then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018. Over the past five years, she has served in various judicial assignments, currently presiding over family law and juvenile justice cases. 

In addition, she has worked as a Napa Superior Court commissioner, Napa County Civil Grand Jury judicial liaison, and is now one of three members of the court’s appellate division and the assistant presiding judge of the court.

For the past 17 years, she has also been on the Napa County Law Library’s board of trustees, and is its most recent past president.

People are also reading…

Death of cyclists in napa leads to criminal and civil lawsuits, documentary, napa city planning commissioner bob massaro dies, ‘we feel identified’: thousands flock to napa for la onda’s latin music showcase.

• 'The Real Housewives of Napa Valley' debuts Friday

American Canyon High School student arrested after gun found in car

• NFL: Former Vintage High lineman and Super Bowl champion Allen dies at age 52

Your guide to Festival La Onda: What to watch for, and how to get around downtown Napa

• BottleRock organizers tap into the Latino market with Festival La Onda
• Festival La Onda takes a bow Sunday, concludes Napa debut
• Latin music, Latino fans gained the Napa spotlight at La Onda
• Napa Police seeks information about motorcyclist reported missing
• Napa grand jury criticizes county building permits, golf tournament's treatment
• Napa's Oxbow RiverStage concert series goes on hiatus as promoters seek new site
• Mental health supportive housing coming to west Napa neighborhood
• Car rolls over on Highway 29 in Napa

She will be retiring for personal reasons, she said in a statement, but plans to remain a Napa resident and member of the local legal community.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have worked for the Court all these years and to have had the opportunity to serve the Court and the community in these roles,” Wood said. “My decision to leave the bench has not been an easy one but personal reasons have ultimately led me to conclude that the time is ripe to take the next step in my career.” 

City Reporter

• Author email

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature, related to this story, most popular.

Two cyclists were killed in Napa Valley in 2023. Criminal and civil lawsuits have followed, and now a documentary. This the story of Michelle …

The 71-year-old Massaro, who died Wednesday, was a longtime builder and advocate for sustainable building and construction. 

The Napa Valley's largest, most ambitious Latin music festival drew tens of thousands of fans to what one artist called a "little piece of Mexico."

Police found a gun in a student's car at American Canyon High School.

Learn who will be starring at the Bay Area's largest Latin music festival - and how to get around Napa on Saturday and Sunday.

Watch Now: Related Video

Hunter biden's federal trial on gun charges commences in delaware with jury selection moving swiftly, watch: mass parachute jump for 80th anniversary of d-day in normandy, thousands celebrate lgbtq festival in seoul, thousands throng streets for bangkok's annual pride parade.

• Register file photo

• Notifications

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

News Alerts

Breaking news.

Superior Court of CA – County of San Joaquin

• Attorney Contact Registration
• Case Management Search
• Case Management Tutorials
• Juror Notification Subscription
• Online Dispute Resolution
• Probate Notes & Tentative Rulings
• Records Request
• Traffic Payment Online
• Bail Schedule
• Consumer Pamphlets
• Court Fee Schedule
• Exhibit List
• Form Packets
• Judicial Council Forms
• Local Forms
• Passport Services
• Vexatious Litigants
• Self-Help/Pro Per Clinic
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Being Your Own Lawyer
• Cleaning Your Record/Expungement
• Divorce or Separation
• Domestic Violence Court
• Finding an Attorney
• Harassment & Restraining Orders
• Mediation and Arbitration
• Resources and Assistance
• Serving Court Documents
• Business Services and Purchasing
• Civil Grand Jury
• Collaborative Courts
• Family Court Services
• Family Law & Support
• Fish & Game
• Jury Services
• Records Management
• Small Claims
• Unlawful Detainer/Landlord-Tenant
• ADA Information
• Childrens Waiting Room
• Community Outreach
• Court Administration
• Court Locations & Contact
• Court Reporter Information
• Hours of Operation & Holiday Schedule
• Human Resources
• Interpreter Information
• Judicial Administrative Records
• Judicial Assignments & Court Calendars
• Local Rules
• News & Media
• Resources and Related Websites
• Standing Orders
• Temporary Judge Program
• California Judicial Mentor Program

NAPA – GOVERNOR APPOINTS JOSEPH J. SOLGA TO SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today the appointment of Joseph J. Solga to a judgeship in the Napa County Superior Court. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Diane Price.

The Governor’s Office released the following statement:

“Joseph J. Solga, 54, of Napa, has been appointed to a judgeship in Napa County Superior Court. Solga has served as a deputy public defender at the Napa County Public Defender’s Office since 2002. He served as an assistant city attorney at the Park City, Utah City Attorney’s Office from 2000 to 2002. Solga served as a deputy public defender at the Placer County Public Defender’s Office from 1999 to 2000 and as a deputy district attorney at the Placer County District Attorney’s Office from 1998 to 1999. He was a deputy public defender at the Southern Oregon Public Defender’s Office from 1994 to 1998. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Diane M. Price. Solga is a Democrat.”

“The Napa Court looks forward to working with Mr. Solga and welcoming him to our bench. He has served the community for many years as a deputy public defender and is respected as a formidable advocate”, said Assistant Presiding Judge Mark Boessenecker.

Judge Boessenecker added, “We thank the Governor’s Office for working diligently to fill the judicial position created when Judge Price retired earlier this year”.

http://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/20181129_PR_Solga.pdf

Categorized in: Court Notices

Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.   

• Website Sign In

• Departments
• Public Defender
• Courts & Locations
• Court Calendar & Holidays

Court Calendar & Holidays

All court divisions are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday including the noon hour. The court divisions accept documents for filing between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For current dates or changes to holidays, please visit the Napa County Superior Court Holidays and Hours web page .

Napa County observes, and closes court during, certain holidays:

• January 1 (New Year’s Day)
• January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday)
• February 19 (Washington’s Birthday)
• March 31 (Cesar Chavez’s Birthday)
• May 27 (Memorial Day)
• June 19 (Juneteenth)
• July 4 (Independence Day)
• September 2 (Labor Day)
• November 11 (Veterans Day)
• November 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
• November 29
• December 24 (Winter Holiday)
• December 25 (Winter Holiday)

Judicial Branch of California

Bienvenido a la corte superior de napa:.

  Servicios en Español

Online Services

Napa Superior Court provides several options to assist with payments, filing, reporting and self-help legal services.

Family Law Ex Parte Application Results

Case lookup/pay traffic tickets.

Access case information and/or pay traffic tickets using the Case Information Access Portal.

Court Calendars

Daily Court Calendar - This searchable court calendar provides the scheduled location and time for cases on calendar today through the next 14 business days. 

The court accepts electronically filed documents in Civil, Family, Probate, Criminal, Traffic, Juvenile Delinquency, and Juvenile Dependency cases.

Guide & File

Follow step-by-step “do-it-yourself” interviews to complete selected legal forms and file electronically, print and file by mail, or file in person at the court.

Jury Service

Check your juror status or access your juror record. Reporting instructions are available after 4:00PM one business day prior to the summons date.

Mediation Services & Online Orientation

Go to the Mediation Orientation Program.

Research and Records

View procedures for case or administrative records search requests.

Tentative Rulings

Tentative Rulings are posted daily by 3:00 p.m. for the next Court day's hearings. Oral argument on matters for which a tentative ruling has been posted will be permitted only if a party notifies all other parties and the Court by 4:00 p.m. on the Court day before the hearing that the party intends to appear and argue.

Hon. Victoria Wood (Ret.)

Case Manager: Katy Jones

• (415) 772-0900
• [email protected]
• download PDF bio
• visit website

Fee Schedule

Articles / publications.

• Daily Journal - Wining and defining: regulating wineries that predated Napa County's Winery Definition Ordinance - Feb. 5, 2024
• Daily Journal - Optimizing hybrid-representation settlement conferences - Jan. 16, 2024
• Representative cases

Testimonials

Hon. Victoria Wood (Ret.) is a retired Judge of the Napa County Superior Court where she served her community with dedication for nearly two decades. Judge Wood’s judicial tenure was marked by versatility, as she has presided over a wide range of cases in various assignments, including civil, probate and family law. Her responsibilities extended to overseeing complex jury trials, appeals, and high-conflict mediations. She also held diverse and impactful roles in court leadership, including serving as the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Court, and as Lead Judge for the Civil, Juvenile, and Family Law Divisions.

For three years, Judge Wood played a crucial role as the judicial liaison to the Napa County Civil Grand Jury, where she supervised recruitment, investigation, and reporting efforts. Her expertise and dedication to legal education and research is further evident in her 18-year service on the Napa County Law Library Board of Trustees, where she recently served as the immediate past president.

Prior to her appointment to the superior court bench, Judge Wood’s contributions to the Court included close to five years as Court Commissioner, where she presided over a family law calendar that included dissolution and child custody matters, as well as restraining orders, child support and small claims cases, in addition to criminal matters. She also worked for nearly a decade as court counsel, performing the legal research and writing for tentative rulings, orders, and opinions for civil law and motion, probate, and Appellate Division matters. In addition to her time at the superior court, Judge Wood also gained valuable experience working as a chambers attorney for Justice Wes Walker at the First District Court of Appeal, and in private practice.

Judge Wood received a B.S. in Sociology and a B.A. in Spanish from Pacific Union College, graduating magna cum laude . She received her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where she will be teaching an Alternative Dispute Resolution Class in the Fall of 2024.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Business / Commercial Contracts
• Employment / Wage & Hour
• Environmental
• Medical Malpractice
• Personal Injury
• Probate, Estates & Trusts
• Real Estate / Real Property

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Napa 2017-2024

• Presided over all types of civil, probate, family, criminal and juvenile matters, including complex jury trials, appeals and high conflict mediations in family, civil and probate matters.
• Assistant Presiding Judge of the Napa Court (2022-2023).
• Lead Judge of the Family Law Division (2022-2023).
• Lead Judge of the Juvenile Division (2022-2023).
• Lead Judge of the Appellate Division (2019-2021).
• Lead Judge of the Civil Division (2018-2021).
• Panel Judge for the Appellate Division (2018-2024).
• Judicial Liaison to the Napa County Grand Jury (2018-2021).

Commissioner, Superior Court of California, County of Napa 2013-2017

• Presided over a family law calendar that included dissolution and child custody matters, restraining orders, child support, small claims, juvenile delinquency, juvenile traffic, truancy, juvenile dependency, and emergency protective orders (2015-2017).
• Presided over a criminal calendar that included misdemeanor arraignments, settlement conferences, judicial interventions, pre-trial motions, probation revocation hearings, drug court and adult traffic court (2013-2014).

Court Counsel, Superior Court of California, County of Napa 2004-2013

• Researched and wrote tentative rulings and orders for civil law and motion and probate.
• Drafted all of the opinions for the court’s appellate division, with a published decision.
• Fielded legal questions involving all areas of law and administration of the court.
• Served as a Riese hearing officer (2006-2008) and judge pro tem (2008-2013).

Attorney, Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer & Jensen, San Francisco 1998-2000; 2002-2004

• Contract Attorney: Researched and consulted with managing partner on novel labor law and civil law issues. Drafted motions, trial briefs and appeals for managing partner (2002-2004).
• Associate Attorney: Managed caseload, planned legal strategies, advised clients, took depositions, appeared in administrative law hearings, argued law and motion and negotiated settlements. Managed firm’s law library (1998-2000)

Chambers Attorney, 1st District Court of Appeal, San Francisco 2001

• Drafted appellate opinions based upon legal research, as well as review and analysis of legal briefs and appellate record in all legal areas, with four published decisions.
• Advised and conferred with appellate justices on novel legal issues/splits of decision.

Associate Attorney, Harbinson, Carlson & Tune, San Francisco 1997-1998

• Researched legal issues and consulted with clients and law partners.
• Drafted client letters, legal memoranda, motions, trial briefs, petitions for reconsideration and petitions for review.

MEDIATION & ARBITRATION EXPERIENCE

• Mediator, Arbitrator, Referee, ADR Services, Inc., 2024-Present
• Mediator, San Francisco Superior Court Probate Pro Bono Mediation Panel, 2024-Present
• Mediator, 6th District Court of Appeal Mediation Program, 2024-Present
• Mediator, Contra Costa County Superior Court, Mediation Panel, 2024-Present
• Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution: “Mediating the Litigated Case” 2024
• J.D., University of California, Davis, School of Law 1997
• Pepperdine University School of Law
• B.S. in Sociology and B.A. in Spanish, magna cum laude, Pacific Union College 1994

LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS AND LEADERSHIP

• Member, The Richard M. Sangster Inn of Court, 2023-Present.
• Member, National Association of Women Judges, 2023-Present.
• Member, Rules Subcommittee of the Trial Court Presiding Judge Advisory Comm., 2022-2023.
• Liaison, Judicial Council Appellate Advisory Committee, 2022-2023.
• Member, Napa County Juvenile Justice Commission, 2022-2023.
• Board Member and Past President, Napa County Law Library Board of Trustees, 2005-Present.
• Member, Napa County Bar Association, 2005-Present.
• Member and Past Treasurer, Napa County Women Lawyers, 2005-Present.
• Team Coach and Presiding Judge, Napa County Mock Trial Program, 2015-2020.
• Attorney Mentor and Presiding Judge, Napa County Peer Court Program, 2009-2020.
• Advisory Board Member, Napa Valley Education Foundation, 2017-2018.
• Member, Napa County Catalyst Coalition, 2016-2017.

Representative Cases

Commercial contract/general business:.

• Settled Song-Beverly Act claims for violation of express/implied warranties and for fraudulent inducement.
• Commercial unlawful detainer on a 20-year lease matter involving contract interpretation of language in the force majeure clause of tenant’s lease to determine its application to the impacts of COVID pandemic business restrictions.
• Three related cases involving claims of intentional misrepresentation, concealment and unjust enrichment related to payments for contractor services made through a subsidiary company that filed for bankruptcy resulting in adversary proceedings determining the payments were fraudulent transfers owed back to bankruptcy estate.
• Claims of breach of contract, breach of implied warranty and negligence based on alleged deficiency of wine tank foundation materials. Required technical understanding of material specifications and processes and involved complex legal analysis as to foreseeability and mitigation of damages.
• Claims of breach of contract, conversion, fraud, constructive trust, unjust enrichment, aiding and abetting and civil conspiracy related to contract for remodel and design of winery tasting room.
• Dispute regarding right to terminate a construction contract, requiring interpretation of “delay” language to determine applicability to COVID-related permitting and supply chain impacts.
• Claims of breach of contract and fiduciary duty, as well as negligence and negligent misrepresentation for insurance company’s alleged failure to properly insure against fire loss. Required interpretation of policy language and representations as to conditions of coverage.
• Issues as to scope of arbitration and findings on commercial lease termination involving question of Premises Total Destruction clause and meaning of “good faith efforts” prior to termination.
• Analyzed propriety of preliminary injunction as to representations of business partnership’s election and identification of managers and making distributions on partnership dissolution.
• Direct and derivative action alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, waste, unjust enrichment, breach of contract against various partnership individuals and entities, requiring complex legal analysis as to shareholder standing, adequacy of pre-suit Board demand, and demand futility.
• Insurance carrier’s claims against vehicle manufacturer for mass defects involving issues of subject jurisdiction, forum, subrogation, assignment of claims, and equitable contribution.

REAL PROPERTY:

• Settled high-conflict easement encroachment, nuisance, trespass claims between adjoining property owners.
• Claims of quiet title hinging on determination of the validity and interpretation of a 1910 easement. Also involved standing issue tied to time of property ownership and filing of complaint.
• Interpretation of contract regarding purchase of land by adjoining property owner involving questions regarding option language, lot line adjustments, boundary survey maps and the Williamson Act.
• Resolved issues surrounding enforcement of an agreement settling a nuisance and unlawful construction claim against adjoining property owner requiring tracking of permits and implementation of pond outfall improvement work.
• Easement dispute hinging on interpretation of 1971 conveyance deed and analysis of after-acquired title doctrine.
• Claims of nuisance, trespass and prescriptive easement requiring analysis of evidence of use involving primary and secondary access easements.
• 1161a unlawful detainer with demurrer raising issues with service, notice, market value and perfection of title.

EMPLOYMENT, WAGE AND HOUR:

• Employee suit involving claims for workplace sex discrimination, misrepresentation, breach of contract and retaliation that implicated complex legal theories including Cat’s Paw, Vicarious Liability and Joint Venture.
• Title Company’s claims against former employees for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of duty of loyalty, Intentional Interference with Prospective Economic Benefit, and Unfair Competition.
• Claims of wrongful termination based on age discrimination and whistleblower retaliation against large public entity, involving complicated causation and Cat’s Paw issues.
• Claims for violation of Labor Code section 6310, 970, 1002.5, as well as wrongful constructive discharge and wage and hour violations requiring nuanced look at causation, burden of proof and burden shifting, as well as what constitutes protected activities.
• Analyzed wage and hour claims to significant detail, including whether adequate meal and rest periods are provided and reported and what constitutes proper time card rounding.
• Employment action against a large winery involving claims of wrongful demotion, whistleblower retaliation, sexual harassment, and code violations.

PERSONAL INJURY, MEDICAL MALPRACTICE:

• Wrongful death/survivor action emanating from car accident followed by hospitalization and subsequent death involving complex medical causation issues.
• Motor Vehicle accident case requiring analysis of injuries, continued treatment and medical liens.
• Claims arising out of independent contractor’s injury at a winery involving causation and liability issues based on analysis of Cal-OSHA requirements and exception to Privette doctrine based on property owner’s equipment defects.
• Premises liability case focused on issue of property owner’s actual or constructive knowledge of dangerous condition.
• Personal injury suit for alleged negligent provision of medical information leading to termination of pregnancy, involving “substantial factor” issues of causation.
• Medical malpractice action involving faulty anesthesia pump requiring in-depth analysis of standard of care, causation and injury/damages.

FAMILY LAW:

• Settled all trial issues in high-conflict, hybrid-representation matter, including division of property, income and support dispute, arrears and long-distance custody/visitation issues.
• Settled high-conflict, 6-child custody dispute, with need for significantly detailed resolution as to legal decision making for behaviorally challenged minors.
• Settled matter involving claim for a nearly $1 million support arrearage that hinged on disputed designation of asset ownership.
• Settled hybrid-representation matter regarding all marital property, debt and support issues, including division of military benefits.
• Settled issues of custody/visitation, parenting parameters and treatment plan for teenage child being released from in-patient mental health facility.
• Settled all property and support issues, including claims regarding transmutation of title to real property and co-mingling of sale proceeds.
• Settled complex asset division issues, including competing requests for real property buy outs.
• Settled high-conflict child custody dispute with an 87-page evaluator’s report and a week-long trial time estimate.
• Settled property and support matters complicated by sizeable debt, downturn in self-employment industry, and significant change in anticipated bonuses.
• Settled property division case involving primary residence and rental property, both with disputes as to separate property interests, as well as Watts/Epstein claims.
• Settled all disputed issues in highly emotional, self-represented case compounded by claims of parental alienation.
• Settled previously resolved matter that had no record of terms and sat stale for over a year with new arguments as to a lack of prior meeting of the minds.
• Claim to ownership interest in separate property residence requiring analysis of title presumptions, oral agreements, down payment and mortgage contributions.
• Claims for enforcement and modification of marital settlement agreement and support obligations involving questions of contract interpretation, required disclosures as to new business formation, as well as breach of fiduciary duties.
• Settled property division matter with unusual community property holdings including sports collector’s items, as well as cryptocurrency and Metaversal investments.

PROBATE, ESTATES & TRUSTS:

• Settled large family trust dispute involving trustor’s declining competency and continued ownership and management of family’s highly-regulated business.
• Settled three-case trust dispute involving distribution of three real properties and one beneficiary’s purchase of family winery located on one of the properties.
• Conservatorship estate dispute requiring resolution of investment versus sale of three real properties in various states of decline.
• Claims of undue influence allegedly responsible for last-minute modifications of trust impacting familial and charity beneficiaries.
• $20 million estate matter with four intertwined cases and large, competing charitable beneficiaries requiring resolution of issues involving discovery, consolidation of cases and validity of trust restatements.
• Competing trust cases involving three real properties and four siblings with claims of fraud and absconding by trustee sibling.
• Settled dispute over revocation of trust and intestacy and whether step-children were intended as beneficiaries.

CEQA / ENVIRONMENTAL:

• 16-count challenge to 109-page certification of EIR after eight-year environmental review process involving procedural issues such as res judicata, waiver, beneficial interest/standing and exhaustion of remedies, as well as claimed deficiencies as to analysis of air quality, greenhouse gasses, traffic, water supply, water quality, biological, noise, vibration, and aesthetic impacts.
• Analysis of whether winery project exempt from CEQA review under a Class 1 categorical exemption as a minor alteration of existing facilities and mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of use.
• Claims that state agency's approval of Timber Harvest Plan for vineyard development project requiring conversion of timberland acreage failed to satisfy requirements of CEQA and the Forest Practice Act.
• Analysis of municipality’s approval of second phase of enlarged retail project without requiring supplemental environmental review or major modification approval.

“I had the pleasure of working with Judge Wood in a very high conflict custody case. The case was on its way to a lengthy and painful trial and I am confident it would not have settled had Judge Wood not stepped in. Judge Wood gave us two days of her (already heavily impacted) time, read and absorbed everything that was submitted to her, was thoughtful and commonsensical in her approach, directive when useful, skillful at explaining the various outcomes awaiting the parties without being heavy-handed, and always compassionate. Tempers frequently flared in chambers—Judge Wood was a cool and steady presence, the consummate “adult in the room.”  She took great care to assure that everyone felt heard and never took her eyes off the ultimate issue—what was best for the parties’ children.  ADR is fortunate to add Judge Wood to their list of family law neutrals.”

“My first experience with Judge Wood was such a positive one. I appeared in her Napa County courtroom prepared to proceed with a trial involving domestic violence, child custody, visitation, and support, for what were highly contested issues. With Judge Wood’s expertise, as well as her compassionate and empathetic approach to both my client and my opposing party, the case settled before the end of the morning. I would highly recommend Judge Wood for any ADR dispute resolution. My office will be keeping her in our arsenal and resources that my office can tap into in order to reach the best outcome available for my clients.”

“Judge Wood came onto a case that I thought would never settle.  The parties were very far apart and had been fighting for years.  One of the parties was self-represented.  She was patient with the parties.  Walking them through their distrust to reach a resolution and move on with their lives.  It took time, but Judge Wood held in there with her patience that made all the difference.  I wouldn’t hesitate to use her expertise to help on any case, but especially one with high conflict and deep distrust between the parties.”

“Judge Wood’s numerous qualities that make her so successful in mediating and settling high conflict family law cases include her ability to analyze complex legal issues, her keen knowledge of the law, her range of experience in various capacities as a judge, her caring nature for the involved parties, and her concern for the well-being of minors.  Judge Wood specializes in finding solutions to difficult problems and has the intelligence, level-headedness, and demeanor to carry the most challenging cases through to a resolution that heals and restores equanimity in families.”

“Judge Wood approaches every matter with fairness, kindness and sharp legal acuity. She leaves litigants feeling respected and understanding of the compromises that were necessary to resolve the issue.  Judge Wood is sure to be an asset to the ADR community.”

“Judge Wood has a knack for proposing creative solutions in the midst of a pressure-filled family law dynamic where emotions are wound tight. She is both compassionate and realistic; this mindset resonates with clients and inspires trust and a willingness to compromise.”

“Judge Wood is an excellent mediator. Her understanding and compassion towards complex legal and emotional matters results in positive outcomes, even with the most skeptical of litigants. She offers unique solutions to resolve matters while keeping parties focused on compromise and resolution. I have utilized her in several matters, and highly recommend her for dispute resolution.”