LWV League of Women Voters of California
San Diego County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Bill O'Connell

Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of San Diego; Office 25

This information is provided by the candidate

As a candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 25, I am providing the following factual information which, hopefully, will help you decide for which judicial candidate you should vote on November 7, 2000. Realizing that I will probably not answer all questions nor address all concerns that you may have, I encourage you to call me personally at (619) 238-1498.

Having been honorably discharged from the U.S.Army in June 1962, I came to San Diego. I have been a resident ever since, with the exception of one year when my work required me to reside out of state.

My wife, Maria, and I are parents and grandparents. We are active in our church, where I serve on the Parish Council.

I graduated from law school in June 1976 and took the July 1976 Bar Exam. Fortunately, I passed the Bar Exam on the first try. I was sworn in as an attorney in December 1976.

I entered into the private practice of law in January 1977, and I have actively and continuously engaged in the practice of law in the same location for the past 23-plus years.

As an attorney, I have handled thousands of cases: personal injury, family law, criminal, bankruptcy, and other matters during the past 23-plus years. I will have completed my 24th year as an attorney in December 2000, and I am proud to say that during all this time as an attorney I was never disciplined by the State Bar.

As an arbitrator for Superior Court, under the Judicial Arbitration Act, I have heard many cases since being placed on the court-approved arbitrator panel in 1988. An arbitration is an alternative method of resolving a lawsuit. The arbitrator acts as a judge would act in a non-jury (bench) trial: the arbitrator is the trier of fact and law.

As a judge pro tem since the early 1980s, I have heard hundreds of cases. A judge pro tem is an attorney who has been approved and appointed to sit as a "temporary judge". In summary, I have the legal experience necessary to be a good judge, as well as the life experiences garnered over my lifetime. I am 59 years of age.

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ca/sd Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 3, 2000 14:30
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