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Hon. Holly J. Fujie (Ret.) brings more than four decades of experience in complex civil litigation and judicial leadership to her work as a mediator. Over the course of her career spanning over 30 years in private practice and more than a decade on the Los Angeles Superior Court, she has developed a reputation for handling high-stakes disputes with precision, fairness and a deep understanding of both the legal and human dynamics that drive conflict.

Before joining the bench, Judge Fujie was an equity partner at Buchalter and its predecessor firms, where she litigated complex business disputes across a wide range of industries. Her practice included banking and finance, insurance coverage, contract and fraud matters, employment disputes, legal malpractice, real estate and business dissolutions. This breadth of experience continues to inform her work today, particularly in matters involving sophisticated commercial issues and layered financial relationships.

Appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court by Governor Jerry Brown, Judge Fujie served for over ten years in key civil assignments, including the Personal Injury Hub and an Unlimited Civil courtroom at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. On the bench, she presided over complex, high-value cases and frequently managed proceedings involving heightened emotions, difficult personalities and significant procedural challenges. Her ability to maintain control, ensure fairness and move matters forward efficiently became a hallmark of her judicial service.

Judge Fujie’s transition to dispute resolution was driven by a clear observation: many cases that proceed through prolonged litigation could—and should—be resolved earlier with the right intervention. She saw firsthand how emotional barriers, misaligned expectations and communication breakdowns often led to unnecessary cost and delay, with outcomes that left no one fully satisfied. That perspective now underpins her approach as a neutral.

As a mediator, Judge Fujie is known for her ability to quickly identify the real obstacles to resolution—whether legal, financial or emotional—and to tailor her approach accordingly. She brings a high level of emotional intelligence to the process, recognizing when parties need to feel heard and when they need to be redirected toward practical outcomes. She is particularly effective in cases where negotiations have stalled, where parties are entrenched in their positions or where non-legal dynamics are driving decision-making.

Her mediation style is both pragmatic and creative. In addition to addressing the legal merits of a case, she works with parties to explore alternative pathways to resolution, including non-monetary terms, structured settlements and solutions that account for business, reputational or personal considerations. She is skilled at working with a wide range of participants—from Fortune 500 executives to small business owners to individual litigants—and understands how to engage each in a productive and respectful way.

Judge Fujie is also highly disciplined in her preparation. She reviews briefs and key materials in advance, engages with counsel to understand each party’s priorities and perceived barriers and conducts independent research when necessary to ensure she is fully equipped to facilitate meaningful discussions. Following mediation, she remains engaged where appropriate, assisting with implementation of settlements or continuing efforts to resolve outstanding issues.

Her leadership experience further distinguishes her practice. Judge Fujie is a former President of the State Bar of California, where she successfully navigated complex institutional challenges and high-stakes negotiations affecting the legal profession. She has held numerous leadership roles across judicial, bar and community organizations, and has long been a respected voice on issues of diversity, access to justice and professional development.

Throughout her career, Judge Fujie has earned recognition not only for her legal acumen, but for her integrity, judgment and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Attorneys who have appeared before her consistently describe her as thoughtful, knowledgeable, fair and deeply respectful, with a calm presence and a practical approach to problem-solving.

At her core, Judge Fujie is driven by a straightforward objective: to help parties resolve disputes efficiently, thoughtfully and in a way that allows them to move forward—without the continued burden of litigation.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Complex Business Litigation
• Banking & Finance
• Insurance Coverage
• Contract & Fraud Disputes
• Legal Malpractice
• Employment Matters
• Business Dissolutions & Partnership Disputes
• Real Estate Litigation
• Family Business Conflicts

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court   2012-2026

• Presided over civil unlimited jurisdiction cases, including complex and high-value disputes
• Served in the Personal Injury Hub and Individual Calendar Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse
• Managed contentious, high-emotion trials, including matters involving self-represented litigants and significant procedural challenges
• Developed a reputation for maintaining control of difficult proceedings while ensuring fairness and efficiency

Equity Partner (Previously Of Counsel), Buchalter   1991-2012

• Led complex litigation matters across a broad range of industries
• Represented corporations, financial institutions, and individuals in high-stakes disputes
• Built deep expertise in business, finance, and contractual matters

Equity Partner, Rosen, Wachtell & Gilbert (merged with Buchalter)   1985-1991
Associate, Rogers & Wells   1981-1985
Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius   1980-1981
Summer Associate and Associate, Adams, Duque & Hazeltine   1977, 1978-1980
Extern to Hon. Robert Hughes and Hon. Cameron Wolfe, U.S. Bankruptcy Court   1976

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTION

• Former President, State Bar of California
• Co-Chair, Multi-Cultural Bar Alliance
• Extensive leadership across judicial, bar, and civic organizations
• Advisor, American Law Institute (Children and the Law Restatement)
• Active in judicial education, diversity initiatives, and mentorship programs

EDUCATION

• University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall), Juris Doctor
• University of California, Berkeley, B.A., Political Science & Economics (High Honors)

RECOGNITION

Judge Fujie has received numerous honors recognizing her leadership, judicial excellence, and commitment to diversity and access to justice, including:

• ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award (2025)
• National Judicial College Award for “Making the World a More Just Place” (2023)
• LACBA Philip H. Lam Diversity Impact Award (2023)
• NAWJ Joan Dempsey Klein Award