Judge William A. MacLaughlin received his A.B. from Yale University in 1957 and then his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1960. After passing the California bar in 1961, he joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where he remained until forming Wehterbee & MacLaughlin in 1964 and MacLaughlin & Gerber in 1974. In 1978, he became a sole practitioner. His work in private practice focused on personal injury, environmental, construction, and business litigation. He was appointed to the bench in 1992 by Governor Pete Wilson and retired in 2020. He is credited with creating the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Judicial Education Seminars.

Awards

2008 Outstanding Jurist Award – Los Angeles County Bar Association

2005 Person of the Year Award – Metropolitan News-Enterprise

2000 Alfred J. McCourtney Trial of the Year – Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles

1998 Judicial Civility Award – American Board of Trial Advocates, Los Angeles Chapter

1997 of the Year – San Fernando Valley Bar Association

Links

Los Angeles Superior Court - Courtroom Rules

The Robing Room - Hon. William A. MacLaughlin

William A. MacLaughlin - Ballotpedia

William A. MacLaughlin Profile on Martindale.com

Hon. William A. MacLaughlin - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles

William MacLaughlin to Run for Assistant Presiding - Metropolitan News-Enterprise

William A. MacLaughlin to Retire As of Los Angeles Superior Court - Metropolitan News-Enterprise