Following 41 years of distinguished service on the bench, Judge Link has retired and is available to serve as a mediator, arbitrator, and private judge. As a judge for the Superior Court of San Diego County, he presided over hundreds of significant civil jury trials and for the last 10 years has almost exclusively handled civil settlements. Prior to the bench, Judge Link began his legal career with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and then spent 12 years in private practice.

His ability to unearth the core issues of a case, coupled with his unwavering goal towards resolution have procured him an impressive reputation for settlement. Judge Link received the President’s Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Preserving the Right to Trial by Jury from the American Board of Trial Advocates, San Diego Chapter. He has also received the San Diego County Bar Association Outstanding Jurist award, the Channel 10 Community Leadership Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Judge Link’s passion for the law and giving back to the community extends beyond the courtroom. He established Justice 101, a program that teaches students about the judicial system and the consequences of their actions. He is also a member of the Center for Justice & Accountability and serves on the Judicial Advisory Board for the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

Judge Link stated, “I have always felt that any case can be settled if all parties, including the neutral, come into the process with open and reasonable minds. For the last 22 years, I have handled hundreds of civil trials and settlements and I will bring my dedication and passion to the private sector.”

Practice Areas
  • All Types of Personal Injury including Wrongful Death
  • Business/Commercial
  • Employment
  • Professional Malpractice
  • Real Estate
Hobbies & Interests

Judge Link enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, playing golf, and is an avid reader.

Legal Career
  • Neutral, Judicate West (2022-Present)
  • Judge, Superior Court of San Diego County; Criminal, Appellate, Civil Trial, and Settlement Judge for over 300 settlement conferences (1990-2022)
  • Judge, San Diego County Municipal Court (1981-1989)
  • Sole Practitioner, Goldberg and Link; Specializing in criminal defense and civil (1970-1981)
  • Deputy District Attorney, Office of the District Attorney, San Diego (1969-1970)
Education & Professional Affiliations
  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law (1965-1968)
  • B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara (1961-1965)
  • Pepperdine University’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Program (2001)
  • California Judges Association, Member (1981-Present)
  • University of San Diego School of Law, Board of Visitors (1992-2000)
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), Judicial Advisory Board
  • Wallace Inn of Court, Master (2010-2011)
Achievements & Awards
  • President’s Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Preserving the Right to Trial by Jury, American Board of Trial Advocates, San Diego (2022)
  • Outstanding Jurist, San Diego County Bar Association (2009)
  • Community Leadership Award, Channel 10 (2000)
  • Blue Knight Award, Crime Commission (1999)
  • Distinguished Alumni Award, University of San Diego School of Law (1998)
  • President's Award for Significant Contributions to the Legal System, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (1998)
  • Dedication to Advancement of Diversity Award, Earl Gilliam Bar Association
  • Community Service Award, Wadie Deddeh
  • Judge of the Year Award, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (1982)
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. Frederick L. Link, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.

Contractual

  • Mediated a case involving a family property dispute.

Sexual Harassment

  • Mediated a case involving the sexual harassment of a young woman in the workplace by a manager and owner.

Wrongful Termination

  • Presided over a variety of employment cases including but not limited to wrongful termination and defamation.

Estates/Trusts

  • Presided over a variety of probate cases including estates and trusts.

Medical Malpractice

  • Adjudicated dozens of medical malpractice cases including dental malpractice.

Professional Malpractice Legal

  • Adjudicated dozens of legal malpractice disputes including attorney fee disputes and misappropriation.

Real Property

  • Adjudicated hundreds of unlawful detainer cases including residential and commercial, non-payment, bank foreclosure, nuisance, wrongful eviction, habitability, discrimination, and force majeure issues.
  • Adjudicated dozens of civil real estate cases involving HOA issues, property line disputes, neighbor altercations, real estate agent disputes, non-disclosure and misrepresentation, tree cases, fence, and view disputes.
  • Mediated a complicated real estate case involving trees and moving plot lines.

PI Auto

  • Adjudicated dozens of personal injury cases including auto, slip-and-fall, and wrongful death.
I wanted to personally thank you for your assistance in getting this matter resolved. There is no doubt in my mind that your pragmatism, experience, and personal presence were invaluable in getting us a framework we could use for the settlement. Thank you. In 37 years of practicing law, I can’t remember a case I am happier to close the door on. I’ll be back.
- Attorney on a Real Property Fraud/Misrepresentation Case
I've tried a case in front of Judge Link and I very much enjoyed him as a trial judge. This was my first case in front of him as a mediator and very much enjoyed the experience. I thought he was extremely effective and I will undoubtedly start bringing him more cases.
- Attorney on an Elder Abuse Wrongful Death Case
Judge Link is in a league of his own. His knowledge of the law is amazing, and he takes time to listen to the parties. With experience in both civil and criminal matters, he knows the challenges that attorneys face. Judge Link shares his views in a humorous fashion, helping to reduce anxiety and stress so that both parties can focus on the issues that count.
- Association of Southern California Defense Counsel Past President
Judge Link’s down-to-earth approach makes my clients feel comfortable and respected, and he utilizes his experience and insight to get cases resolved. He has presided over every type of case there is and can explain to clients why the right settlement can be beneficial to all sides.
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Past President
Judge Link got to the heart of the issues very quickly. It was apparent early in the day that we would be able to reach a settlement.
- Attorney on a Defamation Case
Judge Link is not only a knowledgeable and hard-working mediator, but he is a pleasure to work with. He has the background and experience to quickly identify the main issues in any case, simplify the process, and assist parties in coming to a fair resolution. With his long and distinguished judicial career, he should be a top choice by both plaintiffs and defendants.
- Founding Partner of a Top Southern California Law Firm
Judge Link was fast, fair, and fun. He got the case done at the right number, was kind to our clients, and was enjoyable to spend the morning with. We didn't even need the fully-allotted time. He cut straight to the chase.
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Case
Judge Link is a fantastic Judge and Mediator.
- Attorney on a Business/Contractual Case
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Hon. Frederick L. Link, Ret.
Based in San Diego | Available in All of California
Case Manager: Calina Gercke
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