Judge Wendy Chang

Judge Wendy Chang sits at the Los Angeles Superior Court (Stanley Mosk Courthouse), appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2018. Before joining the bench, she built her legal career at two prominent firms: she was a senior associate at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips LLP from 2003, then moved to Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP where she rose from senior associate (2004–2008) to partner (2008 onward). Her pre-bench practice at these firms informs her familiarity with complex civil litigation and transactional disputes. Judge Chang has presided over high-profile entertainment industry matters, including a ruling in February 2026 denying arbitration of claims brought by a former 'Below Deck' crew member against Gary King, NBCUniversal, and Bravo. Those claims involved sexual battery, retaliation, and hostile work environment. She has also presided over a breach of contract dispute between Michael Crichton's widow and Warner Bros. Discovery. These cases establish that Judge Chang handles significant entertainment and media litigation. The documented ruling in the 'Below Deck' matter demonstrates that Judge Chang has scrutinized arbitration agreements in the context of employment and workplace misconduct claims, ruling against compelled arbitration in that instance. Attorneys should treat this as a concrete data point about her approach to arbitration clauses in employment-adjacent entertainment disputes, while recognizing that the overall data set on her rulings remains limited.

The single most concrete data point available about Judge Chang's ruling behavior is her February 2026 denial of a motion to compel arbitration in the 'Below Deck' case involving sexual battery, retaliation, and hostile work environment claims. Attorneys moving to compel arbitration in cases involving workplace misconduct — particularly in the entertainment industry — should prepare for rigorous judicial scrutiny of the arbitration agreement's enforceability, scope, and any applicable statutory exemptions (such as those under AB 51 or EFAA). Conversely, plaintiffs opposing arbitration in similar fact patterns have a documented favorable precedent from this judge's courtroom. Given Judge Chang's background as a partner and senior associate at large civil litigation firms, she brings substantial familiarity with complex contract disputes and motion practice. Attorneys should present well-organized, thoroughly briefed arguments with precise citations to controlling authority. Her handling of the Crichton/Warner Bros. Discovery breach of contract matter signals comfort with high-stakes commercial disputes involving sophisticated parties. Because the available ruling data is limited to one documented outcome, attorneys should not over-generalize from the arbitration ruling. Research any additional rulings Judge Chang has issued through Trellis or the court's own docket before finalizing litigation strategy. Her entertainment industry docket suggests she is accustomed to high-profile cases and experienced counsel — sloppy or underprepared filings are unlikely to be well received.

• critical

  Audit Arbitration Agreement Enforceability Before Filing Any Motion to Compel

  Given Judge Chang's documented denial of arbitration in the 'Below Deck' matter, any party moving to compel arbitration must conduct a rigorous pre-filing analysis of the agreement's scope, formation, and applicability of statutory exemptions (e.g., EFAA, AB 51). Weak arbitration motions face a demonstrated risk of denial.

• critical

  Research Additional Rulings on Trellis and Court Docket

  Only one ruling outcome is documented in the available data. Before any appearance, attorneys should independently search Trellis and the LA Superior Court docket for additional rulings by Judge Chang to build a more complete picture of her tendencies.

• important

  Prepare Thorough, Well-Cited Briefs

  Judge Chang's background as a partner at Hinshaw and Culbertson and senior associate at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips reflects extensive civil litigation experience. Briefs should be precisely argued with strong citations to controlling California authority.

• important

  Anticipate Entertainment Industry Sophistication

  Her docket includes NBCUniversal, Bravo, and Warner Bros. Discovery matters. Counsel should not assume the court needs basic education on entertainment industry contracts, production structures, or standard industry practices.

• important

  Prepare Workplace Misconduct Statutory Framework Arguments

  The 'Below Deck' ruling involved sexual battery, retaliation, and hostile work environment claims. If your matter involves similar claims, be prepared to address the interplay between arbitration agreements and California and federal statutory protections for such claims.

• ›Present arguments with precision and full citation to authority — Judge Chang's litigation background at major civil firms reflects high standards for legal briefing.
• ›Do not assume familiarity with your client's industry beyond what the record establishes; however, in entertainment matters, she has documented exposure to major studio and network disputes.
• ›If opposing or moving to compel arbitration, be prepared for substantive judicial engagement on the enforceability and scope of the arbitration clause — this is a documented area of active scrutiny.
• ›Approach high-profile or media-sensitive cases with professionalism; her docket includes nationally covered entertainment disputes where courtroom conduct is visible.