Biography

The Hon. Edward A. Ferns (Ret.) served as a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. Ferns was initially appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court by former Governor George Deukmejian in 1989. Four years later, he was subsequently elevated to the Superior Court by former Governor Pete Wilson. He retired from the bench on December 31, 2019.

Over the course of his judicial career, Ferns was nominated to the California Courts of Appeal by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007. Five years later, he served as a pro tem on the Court of Appeal. He has also held assignments in the Civil Independent Calendar Court (1997 to 2011) as well as the Mandatory Settlement Conference Panel (2011 to 2019). After his retirement from the Superior Court, Ferns joined Signature Resolutions, where he currently serves as a mediator.

Ferns earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1971. He then completed a J.D. at Southwestern Law School in 1974.

After graduating from law school, Ferns began his legal career as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He served in that capacity until his appointment to the bench, holding assignments in the Career Criminal Unit and the Consumer Protection. During his tenure there, Ferns was named Head Deputy of the Special Investigations Division.

Born in Scotland, Ferns immigrated to the United States with his family when he was eight years old.