Page 1
Superior Court Judge Douglas Stern to Retire
By a MetNews Staff Writer
|
|
|
DOUGLAS W. STERN Superior Court judge |
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Douglas W. Stern—whose varied background includes once having been at loggerheads with now-President Donald Trump on a nationally televised news show—will on Friday depart his seat on the bench in Torrance, officially retiring on March 13 after he uses up earned vacation days.
“My retirement as a judge is simply the conclusion of but one more chapter in my life,” he told the MetNews, adding:
“But the book is far from complete. I have had the honor of serving as a judge for over 11½ years. Before that I had a great time practicing law in a large firm where I got to handle a wide variety of civil litigation matters for 35 years. During that time I also was able to serve my community as a city council member for 12 years and two years a mayor. Each of those chapters ended and I moved on to the next chapter.”
His appointment as a judge, by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, took place in 2013. Up to that point, the UCLA Law School graduate had been in private practice, with various firms, since 1978.
While in practice, he served as a member of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council from 1999 to 2011, which included stints as mayor in 2003 and 2008.
Disagreement With Trump
His dispute with Trump was reflected on a July 15, 2008 broadcast while Stern was mayor. He recounts:.
“I appeared on the Colbert Report opposite Donald Trump as his 70 foot flag pole at his Trump Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes was the topic.”
That news program was aired on the Comedy Channel.
The City Council had approved a conditional use permit in 2006 for the pole although it exceeded the city’s 16-foot limit on “accessory structures,” but that approval was subject to a green light from the California Coastal Commission. Trump was contesting a need to pay a $10,000 filing fee to have the commission act, declaring that no filing fee should be required as a condition to flying the U.S. flag.
“You don’t always have to put up a huge flag just because you can,” Stern said in the broadcast.
Trump eventually prevailed.
Slower Pace
“Now it is time to take things a little slower with a little more variety,” Stern said late Friday of his upcoming retirement, relating:
“My wife and I intend to travel and spend time with our two daughters and our first grandchild. Other than some near term travel plans, I don’t yet have any particular plans other than to continue to experience all in life that I can. There shall be more chapters.”
He reflected:
“I have loved every minute being a judge, even when the situation might have been a bit trying….Some may find it hard to believe, but this job is simply fun with lots of interesting issues and challenges. Perhaps because of my particular legal background and experience, I very much enjoyed the more unique cases and issues. There is always something new to learn in the law.”
The judge added:
And the one chapter I am most proud of that continues on today is my wonderful life with my wonderful wife of nearly 49 years [Eileen Stern]. That chapter is very far from over.”
Copyright 2025, Metropolitan News Company