Retired state court justice joins Signature Resolution

Retired 2nd District Court of Appeal Justice Halim Dhanidina joined the panel of neutrals at Signature Resolution.

“As a justice, I’m dedicated to providing proper guardrails for the court through various decisions and rulings to exercise appropriate discretion for all parties,” Dhanidina said. “I believe a successful neutral must possess the ability to be sensitive to the needs and goals of everyone involved, and I look forward to bringing this philosophy into my new role at Signature Resolution.”

During his judicial career, Dhanidina reviewed nearly 1,000 appeals spanning a variety of practice areas, including family, employment, business litigation and probate.

Dhanidina served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court for six years. He was the first state trial court judge in California who is Muslim. People v. Moroney, 4LG03026, (L.A. Super., filed Nov. 05, 2015)

One of the most high-profile cases Dhanidina heard as a superior court judge involved Rory Moroney, who was arrested in a police vice sting in 2016 for lewd conduct and indecent exposure in Long Beach. If convicted, Moroney would have likely been required to register as a sex offender.

Dhanidina found that the officers were targeting men engaging in homosexual sex during their undercover lewd conduct investigations at a public park. He also determined they officers included misleading information about the arrest in their reports. Dhanidina dismissed all the charges brought against Moroney on the basis of discriminatory prosecution.

Prior to his time on the bench, Dhanidina spent 14 years as a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles County, where he prosecuted gang activity and other major crimes, including seven capital cases.

After retiring from the bench in 2021, Dhanidina joined Umberg/Zipser LLP and then Werksman Jackson & Quinn before making the decision to go into mediation full time.

“Through his tenure with the 2nd District Court of Appeal and Los Angeles County Superior Court, Justice Dhanidina has built a unique career overseeing various elements of the trial process,” Dario Higuchi, a founder of Signature Resolution, said. “Additionally, he has formed an engaged and diplomatic mediation style, making him a valuable addition to our panel.”