Diane Wayne

Hon. Diane Wayne (Ret.)

JAMS Mediator, Arbitrator, Referee/Special Master, Neutral Evaluator

Case Manager
Giana Dittmar
T: 310-309-6202
F: 310-396-7576
1925 Century Park East, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
GDittmar@jamsadr.com

Biography

Judge Wayne has tried, arbitrated, mediated, and served as a discovery referee on numerous cases involving major oil companies, government agencies, developers, and other private companies regarding toxic and chemical pollution issues, remediation of soil and ground water, toxic waste dumpsites, and compliance with CEQA.

She has a reputation for successfully resolving complex cases, using innovative techniques to help the parties reach agreement. She brings to disputes the ability to focus on problematic areas and bring the parties to consensus.

Representative Matters

  • Decided environmental cases ranging from oil drilling in the City of Hermosa Beach, pipeline and refinery usages, coverage liability, and chemical explosions at oil refineries to major soil and ground water contamination.
  • Evaluated scores of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) involving both commercial and residential development projects in Los Angeles County.
  • Mediated environmental case alleging extensive devaluation of an industrial complex because of an oil plume.
  • Arbitrated 12-year dispute between California Department of Fish and Games and a golf course concerning issues of endangered species and wildlife.
  • Decided hundreds of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) cases, including the following CEQA challenges:
    • Leona Valley Town Council v. City of Palmdale (CEQA review of a major residential and commercial development)
    • Malibu Village Civic Association v. City of Malibu (CEQA challenge to major Malibu development)
    • Water Garden Associates v. City Council (certification of an EIR for a large commercial development)
    • Landfill Alternatives v. City of L.A. (challenge to an EIR regarding a landfill in the City of Los Angeles)
    • Sanborn Theatres v. City of West Covina (EIR regarding construction plans for a theatre and restaurant complex)
    • Hondel v. City of Norwalk (challenge to adequacy of City’s general plan)
    • Leto v. South Coast Air Quality Management District (charge that government agency failed to properly review an EIR for a reformulated gasoline project)
  • Served as discovery referee for several years in major toxic tort class action involving 100,000 litigants and alleged ground water pollution from toxic chemicals affecting a city's water supply. As discovery referee, Judge Wayne organized all discovery, supervised (at the request of attorneys) all major depositions of litigants and expert witnesses, and was involved in establishing protocols for the medical testing program, as well as setting litigation time parameters.
Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS. 

  • Member, The President's Commission on White House Fellowships, West Coast Panel, 1993-present
  • Ernestine Stahlhut Award, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, 2011
  • Recognized as a Top 50 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2012
  • Recognized as a Top 40 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2007 and 2008
  • Recognized as One of the 500 Leading Judges in America, by Lawdragon Magazine, 2006
  • Trial Judge of the Year and honored with the prestigious Alfred J. McCourtney Award, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association
  • Member, California Judges Association, California Women Lawyers Association and Association of Business Trial Lawyers; Board of Directors, Los Angeles Women's Foundation
  • Received comprehensive training in JAMS in-house Entertainment Law workshops including, but not limited to:
    • “Net Profits and New Media: The Future of Entertainment Litigation”
    • "Legal Issues and Developments in Video Game Law"

ADR Profiles

  • Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court
  • Judge Pro Tempore, Los Angeles County Superior Court
  • Judge, Los Angeles Municipal Court
  • Partner, Christy and Wayne, specializing in civil litigation
  • Trial attorney, Los Angeles Neighborhood Legal Services
  • Trial attorney, honors program, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Faculty advisor for several law schools
  • Former Associate Professor of Law, Southwestern University
  • Lecturer for the CEB, CJA, CJER, and the Rutter Group
  • Authored Employment Litigation (published by Bancroft Whitney), as well as articles on civil procedure, employment, and trade secrets
  • J.D., University of Southern California
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

Counsel Comments

    • "[Judge Wayne] has a unique skill to connect with the parties on a personal level. She's able to articulate empathy in an authentic way."

      -       Partner at California Litigation Firm
    • "Judge Wayne is well prepared and commands a thorough understanding of the subtle issues at play between the parties."

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This page is for general information purposes.  JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness.  Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals. See More

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