Judge Anne K. Richardson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 151541 (December 1990)

Appointed By: Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Anne K. Richardson is an associate justice for the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Two[1]. Richardson was appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2024, filling the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Brian M. Hoffstadt[2].

Before that appointment, Richardson served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 2018 to 2024[4]. Former Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to that court on October 11, 2018[3]. Her assignments on the superior court included family law matters[4]. In 2022, Richardson served as a judge pro tem in Division Three of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, and she returned in 2024 to serve in Division Two[4].

Educational background

Richardson earned a B.A. in philosophy from Swarthmore College in 1984. At Stanford Law School, she completed a J.D. with distinction in 1989[3]. Richardson served as an associate editor of the Stanford Law Review and sat on the board of the Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation while in law school[3]. After graduating from law school, Richardson clerked for United States District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer on the United States District Court for the Central District of California from 1989 to 1990[3]. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1990).

Career history

After her clerkship, Richardson joined Litt & Stormer as a public interest fellow in 1990 and remained there until 1992[3]. In 1993, she became an associate at the newly formed Hadsell & Stormer[3]. Richardson became a partner at Hadsell Stormer Richardson & Renick LLP in 1998 and remained there until 2014[3].

Her practice focused on sexual harassment, employment discrimination, civil rights, international human rights, and wrongful termination matters. It also included whistleblower retaliation and consumer class actions[3]. During private practice, Richardson worked on Doe v. Unocal, litigation under the Alien Tort Statute concerning alleged human-rights violations tied to a gas pipeline project in Myanmar[5]. She also represented a Guantanamo detainee and served as co-counsel in Boudlal v. Disney[3][5].

Alongside that practice, Richardson taught Civil Rights Litigation as an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, from 1994 to 2004[3]. She also taught at Whittier Law School and the University of California, Irvine School of Law[3].

In 2014, Richardson moved to Public Counsel, the pro bono law firm, as a directing attorney and civil-rights lawyer. She served as director of the Consumer Law Project and associate director of Opportunity Under Law until her appointment to the bench in 2018[3]. Her work there included complex civil-rights litigation and matters involving economic injustice.

Her honors included the ACLU of Southern California's Pro Bono Award in 2006 for work on Doe v. Unocal[5]. In 2014, Super Lawyers named her among the Top 100 Lawyers in Southern California and the Top 50 Women Litigators. Richardson's professional memberships have included the California Employment Lawyers Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association, and the National Lawyers Guild[3].

Personal life

Outside the courtroom, Richardson's civic service has included board membership with the ACLU of Southern California[5].

In discussing her judicial approach, Richardson described emotional intelligence and intellectual rigor as complementary parts of decision-making, drawing on her years as a civil-rights lawyer and later family-court judge[5].

Richardson is registered as a Democrat[4].

References

[1] California Courts Newsroom — Commission Confirms Appointments to Appellate Court in Los Angeles
[2] Governor of California Press Release (September 30, 2024)
[3] Daily Journal — Anne K. Richardson
[4] Ballotpedia — Anne Richardson
[5] ACLU of Southern California — Brown Bag Lecture Series: Q&A With Anne K. Richardson, Private Civil Rights Litigation

Recent Cases by Hon. Anne K. Richardson

Kenneth J. Melrose and Law Office of Kenneth J. Melrose, APC VS Steven Zelig, Bay Cities Law Group, Inc., Nathanial Howard

On July 28, 2026 a commercial - breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jul 28, 2026

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commercial - Breach of Contract and Fraudulent Misrepresentation

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 28, 2026

Kenneth J. Melrose and Law Office of Kenneth J. Melrose, APC VS Steven Zelig, Bay Cities Law Group, Inc., Nathanial Howard

On July 26, 2026 a commercial - breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jul 26, 2026

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commercial - Breach of Contract and Fraudulent Misrepresentation

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 26, 2026

TRIGO LOPEZ, MARIELA CAROLA VS GO, MICHAEL FREDERICK

On December 6, 2024 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Dec 06, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 06, 2025

ESTRADA, ANGELICA IVONNE ISAMAR MENDEZ VS AGUILAR, JUSTIN DOMINIC

On December 5, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Dec 05, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 10, 2025

MIRANDA, MARTHA VS MIRANDA, JOSE MANUEL

On December 3, 2024 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Dec 03, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

ZHU, JIANZHONG VS TANG, MEIQIN

On December 2, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Dec 02, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 10, 2025

ORTIZ SILVA, ARACELI VS HURTADO, BRYAN

On November 26, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 26, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

YEH, JEFFREY JEEMIN VS CHAU, SZE KI AMY

On November 19, 2024 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 19, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

SANCHEZ, IGNACIO MARTIN VS XAYASAENG, VANH

On November 15, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 15, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2025

OLIVARES NARANJO, JOSE LUIS VS CHEATHAM, STACY

On November 12, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 12, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2025

INDIAYE, ISSA BALKISU VS NDIAYE, OUSMANE CHEIKH

On November 6, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 06, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2025

CARDENAS, JAVIER VS PALOMINOS, NELIDA

On November 6, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 06, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2025

SHEN, YUFU VS XIE, ZUOMEI

On November 5, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 20, 2025

YAN, MINGLING VS TANG, HAIQING

On November 5, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2025

JOHNSON, LATOYA DOROTHA VS JORDAN, TREMAYNE WILLIE

On November 5, 2024 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 20, 2025

GALVIN, CARLOS COVARRUBIAS VS MAYORGA, SAYDA SUAZO

On November 4, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Nov 04, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 20, 2025

MANUKYAN, SIRVARD VS MANUKYAN, SAHAK

On October 30, 2024 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 2024

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 20, 2025

COMMODITY SALES, LLC VS CITY OF LOS ANGELES

On October 22, 2024 an other personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 22, 2024

Status

Consolidation

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Other Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

RAYMOND LEE VS ABRAHAM SAADA

On October 22, 2024 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 22, 2024

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

BLANCA DORA RODRIGUEZ VS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

On October 18, 2024 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 18, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

ALEJANDRA PALAFOX VS U-HAUL CO. OF ARIZONA, ET AL.

On October 17, 2024 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 17, 2024

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

PATRICIA E. GUZMAN QUINTEROS VS LETICIA PEREZ

On October 16, 2024 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

DWAIN LAMMEY VS SUPER REDONDO, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ET AL.

On October 16, 2024 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Anne K. Richardson presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 16, 2024

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

USAMA RIAZ VS HARINDER B GREWAL

1 File

Filed

Oct 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Anne K. Richardson 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Anne K. Richardson

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

Discover if Hon. Richardson is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

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About

Anne K. Richardson
Current Appointment Los Angeles County Superior Court	Los Angeles County Superior Court
Education B.A., Swarthmore College - 1984 J.D., Stanford Law School - 1989	B.A., Swarthmore College - 1984 J.D., Stanford Law School - 1989

Documents related to Anne K. Richardson

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - Los Angeles County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (213) 633-0353

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Superior Court of California	Los Angeles County, California
Director and Civil Rights Attorney	Public Counsel	None
Partner	Hadsell, Stormer, Richardson and Renick LLP	None
Associate	Hadsell, Stormer, Richardson and Renick LLP	None
Public Interest Fellow	Litt and Stormer	None
Clerk	Hon. Mariana Pfaelzer, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California	None
Adjunct Professor	Loyola Law School	Los Angeles County, California
Adjunct Professor	Whittier Law School	Orange County, California