Judge John M. Pacheco: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 113518 (June 1984)

Appointed By: Gov. Joseph Graham Davis, Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. John M. Pacheco (Ret.) was a judge for the San Bernardino County Superior Court in California[1]. Pacheco was appointed to the bench by former Governor Gray Davis in October 2001[2]. He retired in July 2024, becoming a neutral with Signature Resolution[1].

While on the bench, Pacheco presided over family law, criminal, and civil litigation matters[1]. His assignments included criminal calendars in Joshua Tree and service as presiding judge in the Rancho Cucamonga district[1]. Beginning in 2011, he sat in the San Bernardino civil district, where he handled civil jury trials, bench trials, preliminary hearings, and occasional criminal trials[1]. He also served as supervising judge for the civil courts[1].

Educational background

Pacheco earned a B.A. from Azusa Pacific University in 1976. At Western State University College of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1981. While in law school, he clerked for the late David Hennigen of the Riverside Superior Court and Jimmy Gutierrez, the Chino city attorney, from 1979 to 1980[3]. He also clerked for Mike Bidart, Gassner & Gassner (1980 to 1981), and Rose, Klein & Marias[3]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (June 1984).

Career history

After his admission to the bar, Pacheco began his legal career at Rose, Klein & Marias (1984 to 1993), where he worked as a personal injury attorney specializing in third-party litigation[3]. Pacheco then became a partner at Rose, Klein & Marias (1993 to 1994)[3]. The following year, he joined Garza & Reyes (1994 to 1995)[3]. In 1995, Pacheco became a partner at Florentino Garza & Son (1995 to 2001), a firm later known as Garza, Garza & Pacheco[3]. There, his civil-litigation practice included personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice, and government tort liability[3].

His professional memberships included the California Latino Judges Association and the State Bar Council on Access and Fairness[1]. He also worked on an advisory committee of the State Bar of California and served on the San Bernardino County Superior Court's Council for Access and Fairness[1]. Pacheco served as president of the Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association[1]. From 2008 to 2009, he served as president of the Joseph B. Campbell American Inns of Court[1]. The Western San Bernardino County Bar Association named him Judicial Officer of the Year in 2017[4]. The San Bernardino Legal Aid Society later presented him with its Access to Justice Award in 2019, and the San Bernardino County Bar Association followed with the Kaufman-Campbell Judicial Officer of the Year award in 2021[1][5].

Personal life

Pacheco was raised in the Central Valley and later in Bloomington, in San Bernardino County[6]. At age 13, after a traffic accident in which his father was found liable, he decided to pursue law as a way to advocate for underrepresented people[6]. One of his children also became an attorney.

Outside the courtroom, his service work included chairing the Community Outreach Committee for the San Bernardino County Superior Court from 2007 to 2017 and co-chairing the court's Elimination of Bias Committee[1]. In 2022, he organized a reenactment of Lopez v. Seccombe, the 1944 case that desegregated public facilities in San Bernardino[6].

In ADR practice, Pacheco described a thorough understanding of each party's objectives and practical problem-solving as central to successful resolutions[1].

References

[1] Signature Resolution profile
[2] Daily Journal — Davis Appoints Two Judges in San Bernardino
[3] Advocate Magazine — John M. Pacheco
[4] Western San Bernardino County Bar Association Bulletin (March 2017)
[5] San Bernardino County Bar Association — Awards
[6] IECN — Coordinator of Lopez v. Seccombe Reenactment and Superior Court Judge John M. Pacheco Recounts His Journey in Law as a Hispanic

Recent Cases by Hon. John M. Pacheco

On June 3, 2025 a real estate - quiet title action case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jun 03, 2025

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

San Bernardino County

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Real Estate - Quiet Title Action

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 04, 2025

On July 8, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

16 Files
Filed

Jul 08, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 8, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jul 08, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 5, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

12 Files
Filed

Jul 05, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 5, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jul 05, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 11, 2025

On July 5, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

9 Files
Filed

Jul 05, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 1, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

11 Files
Filed

Jul 01, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 1, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

13 Files
Filed

Jul 01, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 1, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections -reduced filing fee limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

11 Files
Filed

Jul 01, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections -Reduced Filing Fee Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 1, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

13 Files
Filed

Jul 01, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On July 1, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000.01 - $35,000 limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Jul 01, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000.01 - $35,000 Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 28, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

13 Files
Filed

Jun 28, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 27, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

13 Files
Filed

Jun 27, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 24, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

14 Files
Filed

Jun 24, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 21, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

13 Files
Filed

Jun 21, 2024

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 20, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

14 Files
Filed

Jun 20, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 20, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Jun 20, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025

On June 20, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Jun 20, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025

On June 20, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

9 Files
Filed

Jun 20, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025

On June 20, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jun 20, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2025

On June 13, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Jun 13, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025

On June 13, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jun 13, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025

On June 13, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000.01 - $35,000 limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

11 Files
Filed

Jun 13, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000.01 - $35,000 Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025

On June 13, 2024 a rule 3.740 collections $10,000 or less limited case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. Judge John M. Pacheco presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Jun 13, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John M. Pacheco Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John M. Pacheco

Court

Superior

County

San Bernardino County, CA

Court Category

Rule 3.740 Collections $10,000 or Less Limited

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2025