Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Alameda County Superior Court, Department 513

CA Bar #: 177019 (June 1995)

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

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Somnath R. Chatterjee is a judge for the Alameda County Superior Court in California[1]. Chatterjee was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown on May 22, 2017, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Steven A. Brick[2].

While on the bench, his assignments have included the Family Law Department. He has also served as supervising judge of the Complex Civil Litigation Department[1].

Educational background

Chatterjee earned a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1990[3]. At the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California, Hastings College of the Law), he completed a J.D. magna cum laude in 1994[3]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (June 1995).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Chatterjee served as a law clerk to A. Andrew Hauk on the United States District Court for the Central District of California (1994 to 1995). He then entered private practice as an associate at Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal (1995 to 1996). In 1997, Chatterjee joined Morrison & Foerster LLP (1997 to 1999) as an associate.

In 1999, Chatterjee transitioned to the Contra Costa County Public Defender's Office as a deputy public defender (1999 to 2000). The following year, he returned to Morrison & Foerster LLP as an associate. He became a partner there in 2006 and continued in that role until 2017.

Across his private-practice years, his work focused on business litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and arbitration. As a defense attorney, he was part of the team that represented John Walker Lindh after Lindh's 2001 capture in Afghanistan[4]. Later in 2017, Chatterjee became a co-founder and partner at Antolin, Agarwal & Chatterjee LLP.

In addition to his practice, Chatterjee served as president of the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California[5]. He also served on the board of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Asian Law Caucus. In 2011, he was listed as a member of the ACLU of Northern California's Lawyers' Committee[6]. The following year, he was listed again[7].

Personal life

At the time of his appointment, Chatterjee was an Oakland resident[2]. That appointment made Chatterjee the first South Asian American appointed to the Alameda County Superior Court[5]. Chatterjee is registered as a Democrat[2].

References

[1] Daily Journal — Judicial Profile
[2] Governor of California Press Release (May 22, 2017)
[3] UC Law SF Profile
[4] Daily Journal — Profile of Somnath Raj Chatterjee
[5] SABA-NC Appointment Announcement
[6] ACLU of Northern California Annual Report (2011)
[7] ACLU of Northern California Annual Report (2012)

Recent Cases by Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Jane Roe 323971, John Roe 325990, John Roe 329135, John Roe 329264 VS DOE COUNTY, DOE COUNTY PROBATION, DOE APEX SUPERVISORS, DOE DEFENDANTS

On September 3, 2026 a civil rights - sexual abuse case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 03, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Rights - Sexual Abuse

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 03, 2026

William Brennisen VS Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On March 19, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Mar 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2026

Paul Miller VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On February 27, 2026 a personal injury - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 27, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 27, 2026

John Thompson VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On February 27, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 27, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 27, 2026

Shane Day VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On February 27, 2026 a product liability - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 27, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Product Liability - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 27, 2026

Gregory Smith VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On February 27, 2026 a product liability - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 27, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Product Liability - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 27, 2026

Glenda Bliss VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On February 20, 2026 a personal injury - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 20, 2026

Daryl Jones VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Kaiser Permanente International

On January 29, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

Shana Gambero VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On January 29, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

Landi Zontelli VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On January 29, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

Ian McIntyre VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On January 29, 2026 a product liability - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Product Liability - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

Corey Green VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On January 29, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

Tornick Akeryans VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On January 29, 2026 a product liability - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Product Liability - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

Robert Gerstle VS Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On January 24, 2026 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 24, 2026

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 26, 2026

Gerald Schilber VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, and DOES 1 through 10

On December 27, 2025 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 27, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 29, 2025

Charmaine Robinson VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On December 20, 2025 a personal injury - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 20, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 22, 2025

Bruce Holton VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On December 20, 2025 a personal injury - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 20, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 22, 2025

Amanda Alvarez VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On December 19, 2025 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 19, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

Michele Giovagnoli VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On December 13, 2025 a personal injury - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 13, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 15, 2025

Arthur Poindexter VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC

On November 19, 2025 a personal injury - pharmaceutical injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Nov 19, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Pharmaceutical Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 19, 2025

Kevin Smetzer VS Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, and DOES 1 through 10

On October 31, 2025 a personal injury - personal injury - product liability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 31, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury - Personal Injury - Product Liability

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 31, 2025

FIELDS, et al. vs RAISING CANE'S USA, L.L.C.

On October 20, 2025 a civil unlimited (other employment complaint case) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Superior Court of Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited (Other Employment Complaint Case)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2026

GARRIAN DESHONE ADAMS, ON BEHALF OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS PRI...

On October 14, 2025 a civil unlimited (other employment complaint case) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Superior Court of Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited (Other Employment Complaint Case)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 19, 2026

SOUZA vs JOHNSON & JOHNSON, et al.

On October 14, 2025 a civil unlimited (toxic tort/environmental) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alameda County. Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2025

Judge

Hon. Somnath Raj Chatterjee 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court

Superior Court of Alameda County

County

Alameda County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited (Toxic Tort/Environmental)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Toxic,Environmental

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 20, 2025

Discover if Hon. Chatterjee is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

View Analytics Dashboard

About

Somnath Raj Chatterjee
Current Appointment Alameda County Superior Court, Department 513	Alameda County Superior Court, Department 513
Education J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law - 1994 B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara	J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law - 1994 B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara

Documents related to Somnath Raj Chatterjee

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - Alameda County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (510) 690-2722

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Partner and Co-Founder	Antolin, Agarwal, and Chatterjee LLP	San Francisco County, California
Partner	Morrison and Foerster LLP	San Francisco County, California
Associate	Morrison and Foerster LLP	San Francisco County, California
Deputy Public Defender	Contra Costa County Public Defender's Office	Contra Costa County, California
Associate	Morrison and Foerster LLP	San Francisco County, California
Associate	Sonnenschein, Nath, and Rosenthal	None
Clerk	Hon. A. Andrew Hauk, U.S. District Court of the Central District of California	None