Resume

Hon. Victoria Gerrard Chaney (Ret.) is a distinguished mediator, arbitrator, referee, and appellate consultant with an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Justice Chaney was confirmed to the California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division One, in 2009, following nineteen years as a trial judge. Her experience as an appellate justice is broad and deep, having handled an extensive array of cases including civil, criminal, family law, probate, dependency, and writs, both civil and criminal iHon. Victoria Gerrard Chaney (Ret.) is a distinguished mediator, arbitrator, referee, and appellate consultant with an illustrious career spanning more than four decades. 

Justice Chaney was confirmed to the California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division One in 2009 following nineteen years as a trial judge. Her experience as an appellate justice is broad and deep. She has handled an extensive array of cases including civil, criminal, family law, probate, dependency, and writs, both civil and criminal. Additionally, she has sat by appointment on the California Supreme Court and has served as a special master for the Commission on Judicial Performance.

Justice Chaney was assigned to the Complex Litigation Division at Central Civil West Courthouse from its inception in 2000 until her nomination to the Court of Appeal in 2009. Her caseload included large class actions, mass torts, insurance coverage, construction defects, product liability actions, pharmaceutical claims, environmental claims, labor law, and Government disputes.

As a judge, Justice Chaney was highly regarded for her judicial demeanor, intelligence, and case management skills. Her respectful and considerate approach fostered a professional and personable environment, and her analytical approach to complex legal issues demonstrated her formidable intellectual rigor. In trial, she skillfully managed cases involving dozens of attorneys, focusing on essential issues and facilitating effective resolutions. Attorneys consistently commended Justice Chaney’s even-handedness, resulting in her reputation as one of the best judges in the division.

Prior to her appointment to the bench, Justice Chaney served for eleven years in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, including as Assistant City Attorney in the Civil Liability Division. Before that she was an associate with Dryden Harrington and Swartz. Her career in law followed an earlier profession in healthcare, where she worked as a registered nurse at the LAC-USC and Cedars-Sinai medical centers. She continues to hold active licenses as a registered and public health nurse.

• Appellate
• Civil Rights
• Class Actions/Mass Torts
• Complex Litigation
• Construction
• Environmental/Toxic Tort
• Fee Disputes
• Government Entities
• Health Care
• Legal Malpractice
• Medical Malpractice
• Official Misconduct
• Personal Injury
• Products Liability

CALIFORNIA COURT OF APPEAL
Associate Justice, Second Appellate District, Division One, 2009-2024

• Appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• Confirmed and sworn in July 1, 2009.
• Handled civil, criminal, family law, probate, and dependency cases, and writs.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Judge of the Superior Court, 1994-2009

• Elevated to the Superior Court by Governor Pete Wilson.
• Complex Litigation Division, Central Civil West Courthouse, 2000-2009.
• Presided over civil cases at Stanley Mosk and criminal and civil trials in Compton.

MUNICIPAL COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Judge of the Municipal Court, 1990-1994

• Appointed to the Municipal Court by Governor George Deukmejian.

LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Assistant City Attorney, 1979-1990

VEATCH CARLSON LLP
Associate Attorney, 1982-1983

DRYDEN, HARRINGTON & SWARTZ
Associate Attorney, 1978-1979

NURSING EXPERIENCE
Registered Nurse, LAC-USC Medical Center, 1968-1972
Registered Nurse, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 1967-1968

Juris Doctorate, Loyola Law School, 1977
Bachelor of Science, Mount Saint Mary’s University, 1967

American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Los Angeles Chapter
California Judges Association (CJA)n nature.