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Jonathan E. Karesh

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Hon. Jonathan E. Karesh (Ret.) brings 40 years of judicial and legal experience to his mediator role. During his 24-year tenure on the San Mateo County Superior Court, he handled a broad range of civil cases, including personal injury matters, construction defect cases and high-stakes conservatorships. After being elected Presiding Judge of the court in late 2018, he helped lead a bench of 28 judges and 300 court staff through COVID, navigating the shutdown and reimagining court operations. He oversaw the safe resumption of jury trials by building out temporary courtrooms at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds and was widely recognized in California for his steady leadership and practical problem-solving during this period of uncertainty. From 2019 to 2023, Judge Karesh served on the Governor of California's Judicial Selection Advisory Committee.

UC Berkeley School of Law



Judicial Profiles
Title Court Published
Command and Control San Mateo County (Redwood City) Apr. 18, 2022
Jonathan E. Karesh San Mateo County (Redwood City) Superior Court Aug. 13, 2012

Columns
Title Category Published
Mediation briefs: Write them the right way Jan. 23, 2026

Rulings
Case Category Published
Templo v. State of California
affirmed
Civil Procedure Jun. 20, 2018

Verdicts & Settlements
Case Name Topic Role Published
The People of the State of California v. Santander Consumer USA Inc. Consumer Law judge Nov. 20, 2020
Sherry Bijan, Donia Bijan, Shabnam Bijan Anderson v. Adele Elliott Personal Injury judge Mar. 11, 2006
Paul Ryan, Larry Martel, Norm Bioc, Yasmeen Choudhry v. Yellow Cab Corporation Inc. Personal Injury judge Jul. 13, 2004
Candace Holroyd v. Ruby E. DeJarnatt Personal Injury judge Oct. 7, 2003
Title Court Published
Command and Control San Mateo County (Redwood City) Apr. 18, 2022
Jonathan E. Karesh San Mateo County (Redwood City) Superior Court Aug. 13, 2012
Title Category Published
Mediation briefs: Write them the right way Jan. 23, 2026
Case Category Published
Templo v. State of California
affirmed
Civil Procedure Jun. 20, 2018
Case Name Topic Role Published
The People of the State of California v. Santander Consumer USA Inc. Consumer Law judge Nov. 20, 2020
Sherry Bijan, Donia Bijan, Shabnam Bijan Anderson v. Adele Elliott Personal Injury judge Mar. 11, 2006
Paul Ryan, Larry Martel, Norm Bioc, Yasmeen Choudhry v. Yellow Cab Corporation Inc. Personal Injury judge Jul. 13, 2004
Candace Holroyd v. Ruby E. DeJarnatt Personal Injury judge Oct. 7, 2003