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Jul. 10, 2026

Former judge Suzanne Bolanos draws on judicial, Senate experience as mediator

Drawing on experience as a federal prosecutor, San Francisco judge and counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy, retired Judge Suzanne R. Bolanos says successful dispute resolution begins with trust, candid communication and helping litigants realistically assess the risks of trial. 

Read more about Suzanne R. Bolanos...
Former judge Suzanne Bolanos draws on judicial, Senate experience as mediator

Career Highlights: Joined ADR Services, April 2025; San Francisco County Superior Court

ADR Services
Employment, commercial, medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability

Years before she joined the San Francisco bench, retired Judge Suzanne R. Bolanos learned the value of building consensus while serving as counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy in the early 1990s, when he chaired the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee.

"He just got so much accomplished," said Bolanos, who worked for Kennedy for two years. "Of course, that was a different time, when the Senate was less divided."

She recalled that Kennedy de... (continued)

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