Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Department - Western Division, Rm. 10B

Appointed By: Pres. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Mónica Ramírez Almadani is a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Almadani was appointed to the bench by former President Joe Biden in 2023, after Biden nominated her on January 23, 2023, and the Senate confirmed her on November 9, 2023, to the seat vacated when John A. Kronstadt assumed senior status[1].

Since taking the bench, Almadani has sat in the court's Western Division in Los Angeles[1].

Educational background

Almadani earned an A.B., magna cum laude, from Harvard University in 2001[2]. At Stanford Law School, she completed a J.D. in 2004[2]. While at Stanford, she graduated with pro bono distinction[2].

Career history

After graduating from law school, Almadani began her legal career as a law clerk in the chambers of Warren J. Ferguson at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2004 to 2005)[2]. In 2005, she joined the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation's Immigrants' Rights Project as a staff attorney and Equal Justice Works fellow, focusing on complex civil rights and immigration litigation in federal court[2]. She transitioned to the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in 2009 as counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, providing legal and policy advice on immigration, education, and employment matters[2]. From 2011 to 2012, Almadani served as deputy chief of staff and senior counsel to the deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice[2].

Almadani joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California in 2012, serving in the General Crimes Section and the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section[2]. Following that role, she served as a special assistant attorney general at the California Department of Justice (2015 to 2017)[2]. Almadani helped oversee the Criminal Division and the Division of Recidivism Reduction and Reentry and advised Attorney General Kamala Harris on civil rights and criminal justice matters[2]. In 2017, she moved to Covington & Burling LLP (2017 to 2019) as special counsel, with a practice focused on white-collar defense, internal investigations, and complex commercial litigation, while also maintaining a pro bono practice in civil rights and immigration[2].

Almadani next served at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, as a visiting clinical law professor and co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic from 2019 to 2021[2]. There, she taught and supervised students in matters involving removal defense, civil rights, and workers' rights[2]. She then became president and CEO of Public Counsel in 2021 and held the Helen & Morgan Chu Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair until 2023[3].

Her professional service has included serving as a trustee of the Mexican American Bar Foundation since 2017[2]. In 2024, Southwestern Law School named Almadani its Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence for 2024-2025[4].

Personal life

Almadani was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Huntington Park, California, where she attended Huntington Park High School. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico.

References

[1] U.S. District Court for the Central District of California — Senate Confirms Monica Ramirez Almadani United States District Judge, Central District
[2] Alliance for Justice — Nominee Profile
[3] Public Counsel — Introducing Our New President and CEO
[4] Southwestern Law School — Jurist In Residence 2024

Recent Cases by Hon. Monica Ramirez Almadani

On January 19, 2022 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Jan 19, 2022

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 14, 2023

On January 14, 2022 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2022

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 13, 2023

On December 23, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2022

On December 8, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Dec 08, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 18, 2022

On November 12, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Nov 12, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 13, 2023

On November 9, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2021

On November 8, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Nov 08, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 12, 2023

On October 5, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Oct 05, 2021

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2021

On September 27, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Sep 27, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 13, 2023

On September 27, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Sep 27, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 24, 2022

On September 16, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Sep 16, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 14, 2023

On September 9, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Sep 09, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2021

On August 27, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 27, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 17, 2023

On August 27, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 27, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2023

On August 23, 2021 a legal separation w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 23, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Legal Separation w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 17, 2023

On August 13, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 13, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 17, 2023

On August 11, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 11, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2023

On August 6, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 06, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2023

On August 6, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 06, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2023

On August 2, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Aug 02, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 16, 2023

On July 27, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Jul 27, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2023

On June 28, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Jun 28, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2023

On June 16, 2021 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Jun 16, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 16, 2023

On June 14, 2021 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani presiding.

Filed

Jun 14, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2023