Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 132432 (December 1987)

Appointed By: Gov. Joseph Graham Davis, Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Yvette M. Palazuelos (Ret.) was a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California[1]. Palazuelos was appointed to the bench by former Governor Gray Davis in June 2000[1]. She retired on May 15, 2024, becoming a neutral with Judicate West[1].

While on the bench, Palazuelos served in misdemeanor criminal assignments in El Monte and East Los Angeles before moving to the downtown civil court[1]. From 2019, she presided exclusively over complex civil matters, including mass torts, class actions, business disputes, and California Environmental Quality Act cases[1]. Her court service also included work on the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Executive Committee, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Access and Fairness Committee[1]. In 2013, Palazuelos presided over the Michael Jackson wrongful death lawsuit[1]. She also handled a Voting Rights Act challenge to Santa Monica's at-large voting system that later reached the California Supreme Court[1]. As a complex civil judge, she managed litigation involving childhood sexual abuse allegations against Los Angeles County on behalf of foster children[1].

Educational background

Palazuelos earned a B.A. in political science from Stanford University in 1984[2]. At Columbia University School of Law, she completed a J.D. in 1987[1]. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1987).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Palazuelos began her legal career as a litigation associate at Buchalter, Nemer, Fields & Younger (1987 to 1990), where she defended insurance companies in federal and state civil cases, including declaratory relief and bad-faith actions[1]. In 1990, she joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California as an assistant U.S. attorney and remained there until 2000[1]. Her work in that office included service in the criminal division and later the narcotics unit, where she prosecuted large-scale narcotics trafficking and money-laundering cases[1].

Separately, Palazuelos taught trial advocacy and California Civil Procedure as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School (2014 to 2017) and served as a judge for the school's moot court competition[3]. Her honors included the Benjamin Aranda III Judge of the Year Award from the Mexican American Bar Association (2014), the Francesca Flores Community Service Award from the Latina Lawyers Bar Association (2016), Judge of the Year from the Korean Community Lawyers Association (2017), and the Presiding Judge's Leadership Award from the Los Angeles County Superior Court (2021)[1]. Professional service included board membership in the California Judges Association (2015 to 2017) and leadership of the Latino Lawyers Association as founder and past president[1].

Personal life

Palazuelos said that her father's work as a police officer introduced her to courtrooms and influenced her decision to pursue law[3]. Outside the courtroom, her interests included traveling, hiking, and scrapbooking[3]. Her civic service included work as a trustee of the Mexican American Bar Foundation[1]. In her neutral practice, she used a facilitative approach to mediation and arbitration[1].

References

[1] Judicate West Profile
[2] Stanford University Department of Political Science — Yvette Palazuelos
[3] Southwestern Law School — Member Spotlight: Yvette M. Palazuelos

Recent Cases by Hon. Yvette M. Palazuelos

On September 8, 2026 a product liability (not asbestos or toxic/environmental) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Sep 08, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Product Liability (not asbestos or toxic/environmental) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Products Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2026

On September 1, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Sep 01, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On August 19, 2026 a claims involving mass tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Claims Involving Mass Tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2026

On August 19, 2026 an other personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

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

Sep 21, 2026

On August 14, 2026 an insurance coverage/subrogation (complex case only) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 14, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Insurance Coverage/Subrogation (complex case only) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

On August 12, 2026 a legal malpractice (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 12, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Legal Malpractice (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2026

On August 12, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 12, 2026

Status

Active

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 21, 2026

On August 11, 2026 an intentional conduct - sexual abuse case (in any form) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 11, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Intentional Conduct - Sexual Abuse Case (in any form) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2026

On August 10, 2026 an intentional infliction of emotional distress (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 10, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2026

On August 10, 2026 a claims involving mass tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 10, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Claims Involving Mass Tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2026

On August 5, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 05, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 29, 2026

On August 5, 2026 an other personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 05, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

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

Sep 21, 2026

On August 5, 2026 an other personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 05, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

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

Sep 21, 2026

On August 4, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 04, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On August 4, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 04, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On August 4, 2026 an insurance coverage (not complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 04, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Insurance Coverage (not complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2026

On August 4, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 04, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 29, 2026

On August 3, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Aug 03, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On August 3, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 03, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On August 3, 2026 a claims involving mass tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 03, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Claims Involving Mass Tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Mass Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2026

On July 31, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Jul 31, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On July 31, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Jul 31, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On July 30, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

Filed

Jul 30, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026

On July 30, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jul 30, 2026

Status

Active

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

Aug 28, 2026