Judge Philip A. Champlin: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Napa County Superior Court, Department retired

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Philip A. Champlin (deceased) was a judge for the Napa County Superior Court in California[1]. Champlin was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown in 1978, initially to the Napa Municipal Court[1][2]. Champlin passed away in 2023[1].

His judicial service lasted 42 years and ended in 2021[1]. That tenure included 22 years as an elected judge of the Napa County Superior Court, beginning in 1979, and 20 years in the California Chief Justice's Assigned Judges Program[1]. Through the program, he presided over matters throughout Northern California, with a focus on Bay Area counties, and conducted civil settlement conferences in Napa[1].

Educational background

Champlin earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Yale University in 1961. At the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, he completed an LL.B. in 1964.

Career history

After graduating from law school, Champlin began private practice as an associate at Coombs & Dunlap (1965 to 1967). Two years later, he became a partner at Coombs, Dunlap, Dunlap & Champlin (1967 to 1977). Champlin also served on the Napa Community College Board of Trustees before joining the judiciary and resigned that position when he assumed judicial office[1].

From 1993 to 1994, Champlin represented the Napa County Superior Court on the Judicial Council of California[3]. Professional memberships included the California Center for Judicial Education & Research, the Napa County Bar Association, and the California Judges Association. His honors included the Award of Merit from the Napa District of Boy Scouts (1984), the Silver Beaver award from the Silverado Council of the Boy Scouts of America (1985), and Napa Citizen of the Year from the Napa Chamber of Commerce and KVON Radio (1987).

Personal life

Champlin was born in Annapolis, Maryland. He credited Yale University with influencing his decision to pursue a legal career[4].

Outside the courtroom, he and his wife, Lynne, had been married 55 years[1]. His post-retirement plans included fishing and riding a Harley trike[1].

References

[1] Daily Journal — Philip A. Champlin (1939–2023)
[2] NewspaperArchive — The News-Chronicle (January 4, 1978)
[3] Judicial Council of California — Historical Roster
[4] Yale College Class of 1961 — January/February 2022

Recent Cases by Hon. Philip A. Champlin

In the Matter of The Charles Boykin Revocable Trust

On December 10, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Dec 10, 2020

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Trusts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 07, 2025

Capital One Bank (USA), N.A. vs Ann Rosen

On December 2, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Dec 02, 2020

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 24, 2026

Joshua Fjellman vs Colette N Freeman et al

On September 22, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Sep 22, 2020

Status

Dismissed

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2025

Shirley Guardado vs DCK Staffing Services, LLC et al

On July 17, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2020

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2025

LILLA ERWIN vs JANICE REY RUSSELL

On June 12, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Jun 12, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2025

Sebastian McConnel vs Baths at Roman Spa, LLC et al

On March 2, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Mar 02, 2020

Status

Dismissed

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 29, 2025

SCOTT MORGAN vs JAMES M WHITT et al

On February 25, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Feb 25, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 12, 2026

David Aten vs Jeffrey Miller et al

On December 9, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Dec 09, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2025

xxxxx xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx vs Hall Wines, LLC et al

On October 22, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

13 Files

Filed

Oct 22, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2025

In the Matter of The Sara Sue Mairs Trust

On October 21, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Trusts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2025

Shauna Brennan vs St. Helena Hospital et al

On October 17, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Oct 17, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2025

Christon Fry vs Mark Zeller et al

On October 8, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Oct 08, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2025

Taneya Cook vs Karen Kin Yan Chung, MD et al

On October 4, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Oct 04, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2025

Cynthia Correa vs Linda Hutchinson et al

On September 4, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Sep 04, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2025

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company vs Jose de Jesus Gallardo Mares

On August 8, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Aug 08, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 21, 2026

Deanna C Bowers vs Darryl Bressler et al

On August 7, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Aug 07, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 05, 2025

Pacific Gas and Electric Company vs Kitchen Table, LLC

On July 25, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Jul 25, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 05, 2025

Tomlinson Wine Group, LLC vs Experience Wines, LLC

On July 17, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 05, 2025

Leonard Pearson, Jr. vs Melissa Hennings et al

On June 24, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Jun 24, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2025

William Haden et al vs Mid-Century Insurance Company

On May 15, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

May 15, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 12, 2026

Phillip Claypool vs Brian Penterman et al

On May 7, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

May 07, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Napa County

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 05, 2020

Ehren Jordan Wine Cellars, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company vs Michael Ru Bello et al

On May 6, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

2 Files

Filed

May 06, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Napa County

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Feb 15, 2023

Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, Inc. vs Timothy John Long et al

On May 3, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

May 03, 2019

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2025

Maria Fernanda Ramirez Garcia vs Carmen Patricia Steele

On April 15, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Napa County. Judge Philip A. Champlin presiding.

Filed

Apr 15, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Philip A. Champlin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Philip A. Champlin

Court

Superior

County

Napa County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2025

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About

Philip A. Champlin
Current Appointment Napa County Superior Court, Retired	Napa County Superior Court, Retired
Education LL.B., University of California, Berkeley School of Law - 1964 Bachelor's degree, Yale University - 1961	LL.B., University of California, Berkeley School of Law - 1964 Bachelor's degree, Yale University - 1961

Documents related to Philip A. Champlin

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - Napa County Superior Court

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Superior Court of California	Napa County, California
Judge	Napa Municipal Court	Napa County, California
Partner	Coombs, Dunlap, Dunlap & Champlin	Napa County, California
Associate	Coombs & Dunlap	Napa County, California

Articles About Philip A. Champlin:

Congressional Record (Vol. 146, Part 7): In Honor of the Retirement of Judge Philip A. Champlin

Prabook: Philip Alden Champlin

Articles By Philip A. Champlin:

Napa Valley Register: Justice in Wine Country

Law Firms

Judge Philip A. Champlin: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

Overview

Educational background

Career history

Personal life

References

Recent Cases by Hon. Philip A. Champlin

About

Documents related to Philip A. Champlin

Court Info

Career History

Articles About Philip A. Champlin:

Articles By Philip A. Champlin: