Hon. Bradford DeMeo (Ret.) has vast experience adjudicating and resolving complex trust and probate matters, CEQA and water rights matters, and civil disputes as a respected trial judge and mediator. Judge DeMeo spent 14 years as a California trial judge, serving as Presiding Judge of the Court (2020-2022), and sat in civil, probate, felony and family assignments, and was the designated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) judge from 2022-2025. For the 22 years prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge DeMeo litigated hundreds of civil, probate and trust matters to successful conclusion.
Judge DeMeo is known for using his preparation, intellect, attention to detail and breadth of knowledge to develop creative settlement solutions in civil cases while on the bench.
ADR Experience and Qualifications
Successfully mediated complex trust, probate and conservatorship cases to successful conclusion across all of Northern and Southern California, prior to appointment to the bench
Judge DeMeo has conducted hundreds of settlement conferences for the courts as a judge and prior to his appointment to the bench as a settlement panelist with a very high percentage of resolution.
Notably served California courts for many years as a lead judicial educator in matters of trust, probate and conservatorship
Background and Education
Completed mediation training consisting of 40 hours of active education, including participation in demonstrative mediation sessions for participant critique.
Frequent lecturer in a wide variety of topics including trust, probate, conservatorships, community property and case management
Member, Probate Law Curriculum Committee, Center for Judicial Education and Research, Judicial Council of California, 2012–2018
Judge, Sonoma County Superior Court, 2010-2025
Partner in the law offices of DeMeo & DeMeo 1989-2010 (founded in 1934 by J.N. DeMeo – noted probate and trust writer and designer of the CEB format)
J.D., University of Santa Clara, School of Law, 1988
B.A., English with minor in Theater Arts Sonoma State University 1984
Representative Matters
Estate Probate Trusts: Successfully mediated hundreds of trust, probate and conservatorship estate disputes across virtually all issues including assertions of lack of capacity, undue influence, alleged elder abuse and breach of trust/accountings. As an attorney, successfully litigated the Estate of Lacayo, the last of the Sepulveda family fortune in Los Angeles County, as well as hundreds of probate and trust cases.
Environmental Law: Served as Sonoma County's designated CEQA judge from 2022-2024 resolving numerous statewide matters.
For scheduling, contact AMC.