Judge David Sotelo (Retired): Comprehensive Profile - Analytics, Rulings, and Recent Cases

CA Bar #: 130105 (December 1987)

Appointed By: Gov. Joseph Graham Davis, Jr.

Biography

The Hon. David Sotelo was a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Gray Davis in 2002. Sotelo filled the vacancy created by the retirement of Robert Letteau. Judge Sotelo retired February 28, 2023.


Judge Sotelo received his bachelor's degree in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz Merrill College in 1983. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1986.


After graduating from law school, Sotelo entered into private practice for one year. In 1988 he joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office as a deputy district attorney. After six years working as a prosecutor for the D.A.'s office, he became a court commissioner for the Municipal Court in 1994. In 2000, after the unification of the courts, he moved to the Superior Court to serve as a court commissioner and remained there until his appointment to the bench in 2002.


In 2003 Judge Sotelo began presiding over the Teen Court for Carson High School.


He was recognized by his alma mater in 2013, receiving the Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award from UC Santa Cruz. He has been a member of the Mexican American Bar Association.

Recent Rulings by Hon. David Sotelo

  • Sep 08, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTIES: Defendant City of Los Angeles

    Plaintiff Ismael Gonzalez, a patrol officer, alleges that he was terminated by the Los Angeles Police Department (“LAPD”) after suffering a workplace injury, than retaliated against by being assigned “to sit in a darkened room for his entire 10-hour shi...

  • Sep 02, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTIES: Defendant Gardner Trucking, Inc. Employee Benefit Plan

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff University of Southern California on behalf of its Keck Hospital of USC and on behalf of its USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital

    Demurrer to the Fourth Amended Complaint’s (“FAC”) Fifth cause of ...

  • Aug 31, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: (1) Defendant Darling & Risbrough, LLP.

    (2) Defendant Century National Insurance Company,

    erroneously sued as National General Insurance Company;

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiffs Victor Marquez and Oscar Blanco Ortiz dba OB

    Trucking (collectively, “Plaintiffs”)

    O...

  • Aug 31, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant Carfax, Inc.

    Plaintiff Eva Maeder alleges that when she purchased a vehicle from defendant Metro Infiniti, Inc. (“Metro”), a Metro salesman provided her with a false or fabricated Vehicle History Report (“VHR”) from Defendant Carfax, Inc. (“Carfax”), promised her the subject...

  • Aug 24, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendants City of Santa Monica,

    Kevin McKeown, and

    Shannon Daut

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiffs Yossi Govrin,

    Santa Monica Arts Studio, and

    Maxima (“Plaintiffs”)

    The Santa Monica Airport contained 40 art studio spaces throughout several airport hangars....

  • Aug 05, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Plaintiff Juan Martinez

    OPPOSITION: Defendant Aw Collision SC1

    Plaintiff Juan Martinez was a regional manager for four auto collision repair centers owned by Defendant AW Collision SC1 and alleges various employment law claims and now seeks to amend complaint adding five corpo...

  • Aug 04, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant Marc A. Smith II

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Roberto Orci

    Plaintiff Roberto Orsi alleges that Defendant Marc A. Smith II defrauded him and breached an oral contract by failing to repay a $400,000 loan. Smith argues that the Court lacks jurisdiction because he has not been ...

  • Aug 03, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendants Dentons US LLP,

    Michael T. McNamara, and

    Edward J. Reich

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Jinshu “John” Zhang

    Plaintiff Jinshu “John” Zhang was a partner at the law firm of Dentons US LLP (“Dentons”). Since 2018, Zhang has represented a client on Dentons’ behal...

  • Jul 08, 2021 Los Angeles County

    The matter having been submitted on declaration pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 585(d), Judgement is GRANTED.

    Default judgment by Court will be entered for Plaintiff Glendora Auto Center Association, Inc., against Defendants Michael Martin, an individual, Martin Automotive of Glendora, ...

  • Jul 08, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Joseph Salazar

    In this action, Plaintiff Joseph Salazar alleges that Defendant JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Defendant”)—which owns the loan and promissory note to his property—is attempting to wrongfully foreclose on h...

  • Jun 23, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant/Cross-Complainant Xiangjie Zhou aka Johnny Zhou

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant Weichou Huang

    Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant Weichou Huang sues Defendant/Cross-Complainant Xiangjie Zhou aka Johnny Zhou for the failure to repay promissory notes. Zhou now files this o...

  • Jun 14, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant Melissa Solgonick

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Olga Banuelos

    In this matter, Plaintiff Olga Banuelos alleged that in 2001 Defendant Melissa Solgonick notarized a fraudulent deed to real property. This April, the Court sustained Defendant’s demurrer on the ground that the ap...

  • Jun 10, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendants Oceanside Transitional Living in Malibu, Inc. dba Oceanside Malibu Treatment Center and Always Hope in Malibu; David Johnson; Kathryn Mandel Johnson; and Richard Cortez

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiffs Patrick O’Sullivan and Erin O’Sullivan

    This case concerns the death of Kat...

  • Jun 10, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendants Airbnb, Inc. and Airbnb Payments, Inc.

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Coastal Protection Alliance, Inc.

    Plaintiff Coastal Protection Alliance, Inc. (“Plaintiff”) alleges that Defendants Airbnb, Inc. and Airbnb Payments, Inc. (collectively, “Airbnb”) are violating the Califor...

  • Jun 07, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Plaintiff Daniela Alexander

    OPPOSITION: Defendants Angela H. Tolley, individually and as Trustee of the John C. Angela H. Tolley Trust

    Plaintiff Daniela Alexander moves to quash the subpoena for production of banking records served on nonparty Wells Fargo Bank by Defendant Ang...

  • Jun 02, 2021 Los Angeles County

    Defendant FA to provide Plaintiff documents below in Defendant’s Possession, Custody and/or Control:

    1. Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual published by Defendant and provided to authorized repair facilities, within the State of California, for the period of June 2018 to present.

    2. Any in...

  • Jun 01, 2021 Los Angeles County

    Defendants’ unopposed motion for Leave to file an Amended Cross-Complaint is GRANTED. Note reminder: the amended cross-complaint must be filed at the clerk’s office.

    ...

  • Jun 01, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant Congregation of the Mission Western Province

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiffs John RF Doe and John RR Doe

    Presently, Defendant Congregation of the Mission Western Province, a Missouri corporation (“CMWP”), has filed this opposed motion for summary judgment on the ground that R...

  • May 26, 2021 Los Angeles County

    Defendant Nissan to provide Plaintiff documents below in Defendant’s Possession, Custody and/or Control:

    1. Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual published by Defendant and provided to authorized repair facilities, within the State of California, for the period of June 2018 to present.

    2. An...

  • May 24, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Plaintiff Sylvia Noland

    OPPOSITION: Defendants Land of the Free, L.P., and Jose Luis Nazar

    This is an employment law action in which Plaintiff Sylvia Noland alleges that Defendants Land of the Free, L.P., and its owner Jose Luis Nazar (“Nazar”) (collectively, “Defendants”) che...

  • Apr 27, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendant Dimitri Roger

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Maro Burunsuzyan

    This matter is related to the lead case (No. 19STCV01244) in which Roger allegedly breached their lease agreement with Plaintiff Haikuhe Chichyan as Trustee for the Arman Yurdumyan Trust (the “Trust”). Burunsuzyan ...

  • Apr 19, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Specially Appearing Defendant LawNewz, Inc. (No Reply)

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Brittney Mejico

    Specially Appearing Defendant LawNewz, Inc., (“Defendant”) moves to quash Plaintiff Brittney Mejico’s (“Plaintiff”) service of summons and complaint. Plaintiff is a visually impaired i...

  • Apr 16, 2021 Los Angeles County

    DEFAULT JUDGMENT PROVE-UP CHECKLIST

    (CRC Rule 3.1800)

    Case Name: U.S. Specialty Insurance Company v. Henry Lucy

    Case #: 20STCV19681

    Hearing Date: 4/12/21 (OSC Re: entry of default judgment)

    Defaulting Party: Defendants Henry Lucy aka Henry Lee Lucy, Jr, an individual...

  • Apr 08, 2021 Los Angeles County

    MOVING PARTY: Defendants ViacomCBS Inc. (f/k/a CBS Corporation) and Showtime Networks Inc. (Joined by Defendants Emmanuel Pacquiao and Frederik Roach)

    OPPOSITION: Plaintiff Gabriel Rueda

    The issue in this case is whether Plaintiff Gabriel Rueda (“Rueda”) is owed a fee for setting up the mee...

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Recent Cases by Hon. David Sotelo

On February 29, 2024 an other non-personal injury/property damage tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

1 File
Filed

Feb 29, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 29, 2024

On February 5, 2024 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

1 File
Filed

Feb 05, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 05, 2024

On January 26, 2024 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jan 26, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 28, 2024

On January 11, 2024 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 12, 2024

On January 8, 2024 a civil harassment with damages (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment with Damages (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2024

On January 8, 2024 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jan 08, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2024

On January 5, 2024 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Jan 05, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2024

On December 22, 2023 a breach of rental/lease contract (not unlawful detainer or wrongful eviction) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Dec 22, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Breach of Rental/Lease Contract (not unlawful detainer or wrongful eviction) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 18, 2023 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

9 Files
Filed

Dec 18, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 18, 2023 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Dec 18, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 15, 2023 a legal malpractice (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Dec 15, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Legal Malpractice (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 16, 2024

On December 13, 2023 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Dec 13, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 12, 2023 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Dec 12, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 11, 2023 a medical malpractice - physicians & surgeons (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Dec 11, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Medical Malpractice - Physicians & Surgeons (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 11, 2023 a collections case - seller plaintiff (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Dec 11, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Collections Case - Seller Plaintiff (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 11, 2023 an other non-personal injury/property damage tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Dec 11, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 6, 2023 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Dec 06, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On December 5, 2023 a quiet title (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Dec 05, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Quiet Title (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Quiet Title

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On November 29, 2023 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Nov 29, 2023

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On November 29, 2023 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Nov 29, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On November 27, 2023 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Nov 27, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Contract/Warranty Breach - Seller Plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On November 22, 2023 an other commercial/business tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Nov 22, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Commercial/Business Tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On November 22, 2023 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Nov 22, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

On November 22, 2023 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge David Sotelo presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Nov 22, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. David Sotelo Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for David Sotelo

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2024

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