After graduating from Stanford University and the University of Utah College of Law, Judge Waldrip started his legal career in the Trial Department of Rutan & Tucker, Orange County’s largest local-based firm, in 1967.  He left as a senior partner in 1980 and opened his own firm, the Law Offices of Stuart T. Waldrip, APC, where he pursued a successful career as a business and malpractice litigator for 16 years, before being appointed to the California Superior Court.  Even before becoming a judge, Judge Waldrip served regularly as a judge pro tempore of the Superior Court.  Over the years, he has presided over hundreds of settlement conferences, arbitrations, mediations and other judicial proceedings.

   With nearly 50 years of experience as a successful mediator, arbitrator, litigator and jurist, Judge Waldrip has a reputation as an even-tempered, fair-minded, very capable jurist, with a talent for bringing reluctant opposing sides together.  His final assignment before retiring from the Court was as a member of the elite Complex Civil Litigation Panel.  He presided over complex construction defect, product defect, class action, malpractice, mass tort, condemnation and other large and difficult civil cases.  Most of those cases were resolved by settlement with Judge Waldrip’s help.  He has a rare combination of firmness, experience and understanding that make him the ideal neutral.

    As a complement to his legal career, Judge Waldrip has served in numerous bar and civic organizations.  He has received many awards and honors, including being President of the Orange County Bar Association and receiving the Franklin G. West Award, its highest honor.  He was also the inaugural recipient of the Stuart T. Waldrip Award  from the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County.  He is a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.  Recently, he lived in Bulgaria as a US State Dept. advisor to the Bulgarian government and judiciary, dealing with organized crime, corruption, judicial ethics and mediation.  He has returned a number of times to keep helping with this project.

    In addition to IDR here in Utah, since 2005 Judge Waldrip has been affiliated with the well-known ADR provider, Judicate West, in California.  They can be found at (www.judicatewest.com).  He recently retired after several years as an Adjunct Professor of Civil Trial Practice at BYU Law School.  He has a passion for helping others resolve disputes.  He brings his significant experience as a mediator, arbitrator, judge and litigator to the table as valuable assets to assist you in resolving your client's dispute.

Approximately 80% of voluntary mediations he has handled have settled either at the mediation or shortly thereafter.

Judge Waldrip makes his home with his wife, Susan, in Midway, Utah.

MIRIAM STRASSBERG

    Miriam Strassberg has worked for many years as a professional case administrator for the American Arbitration Association and other ADR providers.  She presently manages cases for IDR and several others in the greater Salt Lake area.

    Judge Waldrip