Judge Wohlfeil joins Judicate West after 19 years on the San Diego County Superior Court bench and more than four decades of combined legal experience. Appointed in 2007, he first served in the court’s Family Law Division for three years before spending the remainder of his judicial tenure in the Civil Division, where he presided over thousands of matters involving employment, real estate, insurance, business disputes, personal injury, and related torts. Over the course of his judicial career, he conducted hundreds of settlement conferences and became known for his patient, thoughtful, and diligent approach to resolving disputes.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Wohlfeil spent 25 years in private practice and was a principal at Boudreau, Albert & Wohlfeil for 16 years. An accomplished trial lawyer, he is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and was recognized by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego with five Outstanding Trial Lawyer awards during his years in practice.
As a neutral, Judge Wohlfeil is committed to working hard for every party, listening carefully, and helping litigants thoughtfully evaluate their cases to reach fair and lasting resolutions.
Practice Areas
- Business/Commercial
- Employment
- Insurance
- Medical Negligence
- Professional Malpractice
- Real Estate
- Personal Injury including Sexual Misconduct
Hobbies & Interests
Outside of work, Judge Wohlfeil enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Legal Career
- Full-time Neutral, Judicate West (Present)
- Judge, San Diego County Superior Court (2007-2026); Family Law Division (2007-2010); Superior Court Appellate Panel (2010-2013); Independent Court Civil Division (2011-2026)
- Principal, Boudreau, Albert & Wohlfeil (1997-2007)
- Associate, Bauman & Wohlfeil (1991-1996)
Education & Professional Affiliations
- J.D., Thomas Jefferson School of Law - Formerly Western State University College of Law (1981)
- B.A., Northern Arizona University (1977)
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) - San Diego Chapter, Member
- California Judges Association, Member
- American Judges Association, Member
- Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Member
- National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Member
- Louis M. Welsh American Inn of Court, Member
Achievements & Awards
- ‘Judge of the Year’ by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (2013)
- Five-time ‘Outstanding Trial Lawyer’ distinctions by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
- Authored a column for the San Diego County Bar Association
- Lectured at the 2016 State Bar convention as well as for multiple bar associations
Below is a sampling of the various matters Hon. Joel R. Wohlfeil, Ret. presided over on the bench, tried as an attorney, or handled as a neutral.
Complex Commercial
- Adjudicated hundreds of cases, including jury and non-jury trials, involving business tort and statutory claims, such as false advertising, interference with contact, breach of fiduciary duty, wage and hour, and shareholder derivative claims.
Wrongful Termination
- Adjudicated hundreds of cases, including jury and non- jury trials, involving employment tort and statutory claims, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and wage and hour claims.
Coverage/Bad Faith Commercial
- Adjudicated cases, including jury and non-jury trials, involving insurance contract, tort and statutory claims, such as contract interpretation and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing claims.
Medical
- Adjudicated cases involving medical negligence, such as failure to diagnose cases.
Legal
- Adjudicated cases, including trials, involving professional tort and contract claims, such as attorney, architect, engineer, and contractor claims.
Breach Of Contract
- Adjudicated hundreds of cases, including jury and non-jury trials, involving real estate contract, tort and statutory claims, such as quiet title, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
Personal Injury
- Adjudicated hundreds of cases, including jury and non-jury trials, involving a wide variety of personal injury claims, such as vehicle and motorcycle crashes, products liability, trip or slip and fall, and sexual assault and battery claims.
Judge Wohlfeil is thoughtful, diligent, and well-prepared. He does the work required to really understand the issues as well as the motivations of the parties. He is adept at navigating complex legal issues and arriving at a clear conclusion. He was both a brilliant and an empathetic jurist, and he brings those skills to the forefront in the world of dispute resolution.
- Shareholder of a Top-Rated Civil Litigation Firm
Judge Wohlfeil is thoughtful, considerate and not only understands complicated legal issues, but also learns the facts of cases. I have had the pleasure of appearing in front of him for years and he gives his time and attention to everyone, and I know he will do the same as a mediator. His interpersonal skills and grasp of legal issues will make him an extraordinarily effective mediator.
- Managing Partner of a San Diego Law Firm
Judge Wholfeil is the finest example of what the legal profession has to offer. His work ethic and his ability to manage a large caseload are legendary. I am confident he will bring these same traits, as well as his impeccable senses of fairness and ethics, to his new endeavor as a professional neutral.
- Personal Injury Attorney
Judge Wohlfeil has an uncanny ability to cut to the heart of disputes and to fashion equitable and practical solutions. He is a pragmatist at heart and understands that the law does not exist in a vacuum but as a mechanism for addressing and resolving real-world disputes. While on the bench, Judge Wohlfeil always displayed a strong sense of fairness and equity. He eschews academic debates and is more interested in seeking just and equitable solutions. He will undoubtedly bring those skills to his mediation practice. He is intellectually organized and an excellent communicator of his reasoning. While he is receptive to differing viewpoints, he is comfortable taking a position on difficult issues and communicating that position to disputing parties.
- Certified Specialist, Appellate Law
They broke the mold for judicial temperament and commitment to justice when Joel Wohlfeil took the bench. You couldn’t find a jurist who better combines kindness, fairness, preparedness, and wisdom than he did. Even when his docket was overwhelming, every party left his courtroom feeling heard. I have every confidence that he will bring all those great qualities and more to his service as a neutral. I look forward to working with him to resolve cases out of court as much as I did in court.
- Founder of a San Diego Law Firm
Judge Wohlfeil is recognized as one of the most thorough, hard-working, and fair-minded judges in the entire San Diego Superior Court judiciary. In nearly every case he handles, both sides of the controversy are pleased with his well decided opinions and balanced review. Even when a party views their resolution as unfavorable, those parties still admire his attention, focus, and determination to do what, in his view, is fair and equitable. He always listens to both sides before reaching a decision. He will make an outstanding mediator who strives to reach a meaningful resolution for each litigant.
- Twice Named San Diego's Trial Lawyer of the Year
Judge Wohlfeil is extremely detailed and finds proactive legal solutions to problems that may prove daunting for others. He treats the process, all parties, and counsel with respect and is committed to a level-playing field where everyone feels heard and understood. I have no doubt that he will be a superstar mediator.
- Shareholder at a Premier Nationwide Law Firm
Judge Wohlfeil was a tremendously talented jurist and will be an equally exceptional neutral. On the bench, he was thoughtful and hard-working, always exhibiting great patience. In the ADR context, in addition to bringing the parties together for productive discussions, his deep experience from the bench will make him a helpful resource in evaluating the respective legal positions. I would highly recommend Judge Wohlfeil as a mediator or arbitrator.
- #1 Super Lawyer in San Diego
