Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer (Retired): Comprehensive Profile - Analytics, Rulings, and Recent Cases

CA Bar #: 80875 (June 1978)

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

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer (Ret.) was a judge for the Orange County Superior Court in California. Zeltzer was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown on July 16, 2014, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. John Nho Trong Nguyen[1]. She retired in 2022 and joined ADR Services, Inc., as a neutral in June 2023[2].

While on the bench, her assignments included civil cases, criminal cases, law and motion matters, and settlement conferences[2].

Educational background

Zeltzer earned a B.A. in drama and art from Western State University. At Western State University College of Law, she completed a J.D. in 1977. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (June 1978).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Zeltzer began her legal career as an associate at Ruston & Nance (1978 to 1981). In 1981, she transitioned to the Legal Division of the California Department of Transportation as a deputy attorney. Following that role, Zeltzer returned to Ruston & Nance (1983 to 1987) as an associate.

In 1987, Zeltzer joined Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP as an associate. She became a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment Practices Group in 2006. At the firm, her practice included representing public and private entities in employment harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, civil rights, professional malpractice, and premises liability matters[2]. Alongside that work, she served as administrative partner and managing partner of the firm's Orange County office[2]. Before her appointment, she also served as a volunteer temporary judge for settlement conferences in the unlimited civil division of the Orange County Superior Court[2].

Her professional memberships included the American Board of Trial Advocates[2]. Within that organization, she served in multiple leadership roles, including president of the Orange County chapter in 2020, as well as national delegate and board representative[2]. She also served on the board of directors of the California Lawyers Association for the Orange County region[2]. Her honors included induction into the Western State College of Law Hall of Fame[2]. She also received the Orange County chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates' Trial Lawyer of the Year award and that chapter's Judge of the Year award in 2020[2]. Zeltzer also taught Civil Trial Practice as an adjunct professor at Western State University College of Law and lectured on civil litigation topics for The Rutter Group, Continuing Education of the Bar, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Orange County Bar Association[2].

Personal life

In her post-retirement ADR practice, Zeltzer handled employment, landlord-tenant, land use, product liability, and wrongful death matters[2]. She described her mediation approach as listening to the parties, accounting for the emotional dimension of a dispute, and testing each side's assessment by focusing on the strengths of the opposing case[2].

Outside professional practice, Zeltzer served as a presiding judge for the Constitutional Rights Foundation's Mock Trial program and presided over its 2023 championship round[2].

Zeltzer is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] Governor of California Press Release (July 16, 2014)
[2] ADR Services Biography

Recent Rulings by Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion for Leave to Amend
    CONTINUED to 9/15/2021

    ...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Redesignate Documents Improperly Marked “Attorneys Eyes Only”
    CONTINUED to 9/29/2021

    ...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion for Attorney Fees
    Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, subdivision (c)(1) provides that “a prevailing defendant on a special motion to strike shall be entitled to recover his or her attorney’s fees and costs.” “[A]ny SLAPP defendant who brings a successful motion to strike is entitled to manda...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
    Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
    WITHDRAWAL FILED

    ...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Set Aside/Vacate Dismissal
    Plaintiff was required to file a proof of service with the court clerk at least 5 court days before the hearing. (California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1300.) Plaintiff did not file a proof of service. This motion was previously continued so Plaintiff could file a proof ...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel of Record
    Moving attorney’s motion complies with California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1362.
    Tentative Ruling: The motion of attorney John A. Cone, Jr. to withdraw as attorney of record for Plaintiff Roger Hanson is GRANTED. (Code Civ. Proc. § 284, CRC 3.1362.) Moving att...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Demurrer – Other
    Cross-Defendants Abdul Mozayeni and Western Pacific Development, Inc.’s Demurrer to Complaint (ROA 98) is CONTINUED to 9-29-21 at 1:30 p.m. due to failure to comply with CCP § 430.41. This demurrer first came for hearing on 7-27-21.
    Because the parties had not met and conferred as re...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    1.Motion to Compel Answers to Form Interrogatories 2.Motion to Compel Answers to Special Interrogatories
    Motion No. 1 – Motion to Compel Answers to Form Interrogatories Code of Civil Procedure section 2030.290 states: “If a party to whom interrogatories are directed fails to serve a timely response, the...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Demurrer to Amended Complaint
    Defendants’ request for judicial notice is GRANTED.
    “A demurrer tests the pleading alone, and not the evidence or the facts alleged. . . . To the extent there are factual issues in dispute, however, this court must assume the truth not only of all facts properly pled, bu...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    1. Demurrer to, and Motion to Strike Portions of, Unverified Cross-Complaint 2. Demurrer to Unverified Answer
    1. Demurrer to Cross-Complaint: “A demurrer tests the pleading alone, and not the evidence or the facts alleged. . . . To the extent there are factual issues in dispute, however, this court must...

  • Sep 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion for Summary Judgment and/or Adjudication
    This is a contract dispute. According to the complaint, Plaintiff, Vinum Tokaj International, LLC (“VTI”) imports and sells wines from the Tokaji region of Hungary. Plaintiff imported 252,000 bottles of Hungarian wine. After the wine arrived in the US, Pla...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Tax Costs
    Moving Party: Defendant, City of Anaheim Responding Party: Plaintiffs, Katrina Eisinger and Gregory Jay Eisinger
    RULING:
    Defendant City of Anaheim’s motion to tax plaintiffs Katrina Eisinger and Gregory Jay Eisinger’s costs is GRANTED. Costs are taxed in the amount of $12,924.8...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel of Record
    Moving Attorney: Attorney, Caixing Ma from Ardent law Group, P.C. Appearing for Parties: Plaintiffs, Harbor Green Grain, L.P.; Harbor Green Development, L.P; Shing “Jacky” Lo; and Shing “Jacky” Lo and Manhong Zhang, as Trustees of the Harbor Torrance Family Tru...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel O/C per ROA 58

    ...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Compel
    O/C
    No Motion Filed

    ...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Re-Open Discovery
    Moving Party: Plaintiff, Complete Welding & Cutting Supplies, Inc. Responding Party: Defendant, Metal-Fab Services Industry, Inc.
    RULING:
    Plaintiff Complete Welding & Cutting Supplies, Inc.’s motion to reopen discovery is GRANTED.
    Plaintiff moves to reopen discovery ...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Quash Discovery Subpoena
    Moving Party: Defendants Ranakaran Investments, LLC dba Tropical Smoothie Café, Parvinder K. Sidhu, Crystal Sidhu, Ranakaran S. Sidhu, and Malwinder S. Sidhu Responding Party: Plaintiffs Mohammed Alsmadi, Sandra Vilchis, Mauricio Silva, Abigail Rosete, and Ariana Soto<...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Quash Service of Summons
    Moving Party: Defendant Aaron Simpson Responding Party: Plaintiff Oana Veronica Popa
    RULING:
    Defendant Aaron Simpson specially appears and moves for an order quashing service of the summons and complaint on the ground that service was not proper.
    Plaintiff arg...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Demurrer to Complaint
    O/C
    Amended Complaint filed 07/22/2021

    ...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel of Record
    O/C per ROA 45

    ...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion for Order Discharging Plaintiff from Liability with Regards to Interpleaded Funds
    Moving Party: Plaintiff Michael Shemtoub Responding Party: N/A
    RULING:
    Plaintiff Michael Shemtoub’s (“Plaintiff”) Motion for Order Discharging Plaintiff from Liability with Regards to Interpleaded Funds and Di...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion for Special Appointment of a Process Server
    Motion for Special Appointment of a Process Server
    Moving Party: Victoria Lynn Lepou Responding Party: None
    RULING:
    Plaintiff Victoria Lynn Lepou moves for an order appointing Foss Baker and agents of Ancillary Legal Coropration to submit the S...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Demurrer to Petition for Writ of Mandate
    Moving Party: Respondent California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education Responding Party: None
    RULING:
    Respondent California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s demurrer to petition for writ of mandate (ROA 48) is SUSTAINED. The Court interp...

  • Aug 01, 2021 Orange County

    Motion to Quash Service of Summons
    Moving Party: Specially Appearing Defendant, David Karl Powers Responding Party: No opposition filed
    RULING:
    Specially Appearing Defendant David Karl Powers moves for an order quashing service of the Summons and Complaint.
    Snowney v. Harrah’s Entertainment, In...

  • Load More

Recent Cases by Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer

On November 24, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 24, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2023

On November 22, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 22, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2023

On November 12, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 12, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 12, 2023

On November 12, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 12, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 12, 2023

On November 10, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 10, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 08, 2023

On November 10, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 10, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 13, 2023

On November 10, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 10, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Civil Rights

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2023

On November 10, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 10, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 04, 2023

On November 9, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On November 9, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 9, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 8, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 08, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 8, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 08, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On November 5, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 5, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 4, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 04, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On November 4, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 04, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 08, 2023

On November 4, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 04, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 4, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 04, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 3, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 03, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Civil Rights

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On November 3, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 03, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On November 2, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 02, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2023

On November 2, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 02, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025

On November 2, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Nancy E. Zeltzer presiding.

Filed

Nov 02, 2021

Judge

Hon. Nancy E. Zeltzer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nancy E. Zeltzer

Court

Orange County

County

Orange County, CA

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2025