Shaw Lewenz is proud to be featured in The Wall Street Journal in an article exploring the little-known world of private judges for hire. The piece highlights how civil litigants are increasingly turning to private judges for faster, expert resolution in complex disputes when state courts are backlogged.
Florida commercial litigation lawyer Jordan Shaw represented clients in shareholder and real estate disputes before private judges over the past year. He told the WSJ that hiring a private judge often provides greater access to the bench and a quicker path to resolution. One client, involved in a multimillion-dollar business dispute, noted that the nearly six-figure cost of a private judge was well worth it to achieve timely outcomes.
Private judging is legal in roughly 30 states, with retired judges and experienced lawyers serving as adjudicators. Unlike arbitration or mediation, these proceedings are public, and rulings are appealable in court. The WSJ piece describes cases ranging from construction disputes in Naples, Florida, to high-profile family-law matters in California and Colorado, underscoring the flexibility and accessibility private judges provide.
Jordan Shaw and the team at Shaw Lewenz are recognized for their experience navigating this growing practice area, helping clients secure expert judicial oversight in complex, time-sensitive matters. As private judging gains attention and adoption, Shaw Lewenz continues to lead in providing innovative legal solutions for clients facing urgent disputes.