Jan. 16, 2026
Lawyers, don't miss the cultural clues in dispute resolution
Cultural awareness allows lawyers to do more than resolve disputes--it helps clients feel understood in the process.
Angel M. Bermudez
Judge (ret.)
Hon. Angel M. Bermudez (Ret.) is a JAMS mediator, arbitrator and neutral evaluator with more than 18 years of judicial experience on the Riverside County Superior Court. He spent nine years presiding over complex civil matters, including business and commercial disputes, contract claims, and catastrophic personal injury, professional negligence and real property cases. Prior to his judicial service, Judge Bermudez worked for 16 years as a senior deputy district attorney in Riverside County, focusing on white-collar criminal matters. A native Spanish speaker with university-level Spanish education, he is dedicated to culturally informed and accessible dispute resolution. He can be reached at abermudez@jamsadr.com.
"Judge, would you please talk to my client?" is a request
often heard in the courtroom. But what are the reasons behind it? Many times, a
lawyer wants the judge's experience or "prestige of office" to help with client
control. But could other things be at work?
Early observations from...
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