Judge Sarmiento is a distinguished former Settlement Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. During his 26-year tenure, he led hundreds of successful settlement conferences in cases across a broad span of practice areas such as general business commercial disputes, employment, malpractice, and personal injury. While on the bench, Judge Sarmiento implemented the first Santa Monica Court personal injury Civil Referee Assisted Settlement Hearing (CRASH) program where he personally participated in 10+ personal injury-related settlement conferences per week.
As a mediator, Judge Sarmiento is noted for his dogged determination and follow-up when a case does not settle on the day of mediation. He prides himself on being extremely diligent in his preparation for every matter he handles. He is also well known for his organization and skills in handling complex and high-stakes matters, for his thoughtful even handed approach and uncanny ability to break impasse with even the most staunchly opposing viewpoints. Many attorneys regard him as "professional, thoughtful, and decisive."
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. Cesar Sarmiento, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.
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Judge Sarmiento is an avid surfer and in his spare time plays the guitar in a jazz band.
"The case went well, and we are happy it settled. Judge Sarmiento did a great job. I have used him a few times, and have nothing but good things to say about him."
- Attorney on a Real Estate case
"Judge Sarmiento understood the law and facts. He dove right in to the value of the case. "
- Attorney on an Emplyment Wage & Hour Dispute
"I wanted to let you know that my client and I really appreciated the way you grasped the concepts involved in this highly technical products liability case, assessed the weaknesses, and applied non-traditional strategies to effectuate a settlement."
- Attorney on a Products Liability Dispute
"Prepared, experienced, so very skilled. Wonderful!"
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Dispute
"The matter was somewhat complex as it involved claims in both workers' compensation and a civil suit with separate sets of counsel on the two matters. Judge Sarmiento was able to guide the parties and counsel to a negotiated resolution that would not have seemed feasible at the start of the process."
- Attorney on a Personal Injury / Catastrophic case
"I had several very positive experiences with Judge Sarmiento when he was on the bench. I am pleased to see that those skills translated well to the mediator position!"
- Attorney on a product liability dispute
"Judge Sarmiento was professional, knew the case, hit the issues, and resolved it for a fair amount. Would definitely use him again. My clients really liked him as well."
- Partner at a Prestigious, Nationwide Law Firm
"Hon. Cesar Sarmiento, Ret. is a very good mediator. He is no-nonsense. If you like hearing it straight with no sugar coating, then you will like his style. It was refreshing to have a mediator who was tech-savvy and well-versed in the facts of the case. "
- Attorney on a Premises Liability case
601 S. Figueroa
Ste 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213.223.1113
Fax : 213.223.1114
980 9th Street
Suite 2200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.394.8490
Fax : 916.394.8495
402 W. Broadway
Ste 2400
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.814.1966
Fax : 619.814.1967
1851 East First Street
Ste 1600
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714.834.1340
Fax : 714.834.1344
1925 Century Park East
Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 800.488.8805
Fax :
2023.6.1.2rt