Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department retired

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Teresa Sanchez-Gordon (Ret.) was a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. Sanchez-Gordon was elected to the East Los Angeles Municipal Court in November 1996 and was elevated to the Los Angeles County Superior Court upon court unification in 2000[1]. She retired on May 5, 2017, becoming a neutral with Alternative Resolution Centers (ARC)[1].

While on the bench, her assignments included civil matters, complex litigation, unlimited civil cases, and service as a settlement officer at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse[1]. She served as presiding judge of the East Los Angeles Municipal Court from November 1999 to April 2000, the first Mexican-American to hold that post[1]. After that term, she handled a long-cause felony and civil calendar in Alhambra[1].

Educational background

Sanchez-Gordon earned a bachelor's degree from Immaculate Heart College. She also received a teaching credential from Immaculate Heart College[1]. While attending People's College of Law at night, she spent nine years as an elementary school teacher at Malabar Street Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District[1]. At People's College of Law, she completed a J.D.[1]. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 7, 1988)[2].

Career history

In 1988, after graduating from law school, Sanchez-Gordon became executive director of the Immigrant Assistance Project of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO)[1]. In that role, she assisted immigrant workers seeking legal status under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986[1]. Following that work, she joined the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California as a deputy federal public defender and remained there until she took the bench[1].

Through the California Judges Association, she served on the association's executive board, helped foster relationships between California and Mexican judges, and directed the Judicial Mexico Study Abroad Program[1]. She also founded the Latina Lawyers Bar Association and belonged to the Mexican American Bar Association[1]. She served on the Board of Directors of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. Her affiliations also included AltaMed Health Services Corporation[1].

Personal life

Sanchez-Gordon was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States as a young child[3]. She was raised in East Los Angeles as the oldest of eleven children. Her father worked as a butcher and belonged to the meat packers union in Vernon. She became interested in law by listening to attorneys in her family discuss legal cases[3]. Early in public life, she volunteered on Edward R. Roybal's City Council campaign[3]. Sanchez-Gordon later became the first Mexican-American woman to serve on the Los Angeles County Superior Court[3].

After retirement, her private neutral practice included personal injury, employment, commercial disputes, habitability, construction, and real estate matters[1]. She also became a partner at Bond Sanchez-Gordon, a personal injury law firm with offices in California and Washington. In public service, Mayor Karen Bass appointed her to the Los Angeles Police Commission in 2024[4]. She later served as commission president[4].

References

[1] Alternative Resolution Centers biography
[2] State Bar of California — Attorney Licensee Search
[3] Daily Journal — Retired Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon Brings L.A. Vibe to Dispute Resolution
[4] Los Angeles Times article

Recent Cases by Hon. Teresa Sanchez-Gordon

On December 3, 2024 a limited conservatorship (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

Filed

Dec 03, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Limited Conservatorship (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 18, 2025

On September 17, 2021 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

21 Files
Filed

Sep 17, 2021

Status

Active

Court

Glendale

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2023

On March 30, 2021 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

Filed

Mar 30, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 26, 2023

On June 16, 2020 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

60 Files
Filed

Jun 16, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 06, 2024

On May 5, 2020 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

May 05, 2020

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 24, 2023

On April 2, 2020 an other personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

84 Files
Filed

Apr 02, 2020

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2023

On March 18, 2020 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

58 Files
Filed

Mar 18, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 06, 2024

On February 5, 2020 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

123 Files
Filed

Feb 05, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 24, 2023

On January 10, 2020 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

45 Files
Filed

Jan 10, 2020

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2023

On January 2, 2020 an other commercial/business tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jan 02, 2020

Status

Summary Judgment

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Commercial/Business Tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2023

On December 31, 2018 an other personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

11 Files
Filed

Dec 31, 2018

Status

Consolidation

Court

Stanley Mosk

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 18, 2023

On May 5, 2017 an elder abuse/dependent adult abuse case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

30 Files
Filed

May 05, 2017

Status

Unknown

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Elder Abuse/Dependent Adult Abuse Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Elder Abuse

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2023

On March 20, 2017 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Mar 20, 2017

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Real Property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 16, 2023

On March 16, 2017 a defamation (slander/libel) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

Mar 16, 2017

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Defamation (slander/libel) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Slander,Libel,Defamation

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 16, 2023

On March 3, 2017 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Mar 03, 2017

Status

Default Judgment

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contract/Warranty Breach - Seller Plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2023

On February 7, 2017 an other contract dispute (not breach/insurance/fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Feb 07, 2017

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Contract Dispute (not breach/insurance/fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

General Insurance

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 16, 2023

On February 1, 2017 a tortious interference (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

Feb 01, 2017

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Tortious Interference (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Economic Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 14, 2023

On December 29, 2016 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

Filed

Dec 29, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 28, 2017

On December 19, 2016 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

Dec 19, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contract/Warranty Breach - Seller Plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

On December 16, 2016 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

Dec 16, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 14, 2023

On December 8, 2016 a negligent breach of contract/warranty (no fraud) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

1 File
Filed

Dec 08, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Negligent Breach of Contract/Warranty (no fraud) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Negligent Breach

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 15, 2023

On November 30, 2016 an other promissory note/collections case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Nov 30, 2016

Status

Default Judgment

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Promissory Note/Collections Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 18, 2023

On November 29, 2016 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

Filed

Nov 29, 2016

Status

Default Judgment

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2023

On November 18, 2016 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Teresa Sanchez-Gordon presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Nov 18, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 15, 2023