Dieter Carlos Dammeier

Judge Dammeier is a respected Administrative Law Judge for the State of California who has dedicated his career to public service and giving back to the community. As a Judge, Dammeier has heard and issued decisions in over 1,000 State unemployment, disability or tax appeals before him, always treating the litigants, attorneys and witnesses with respect and dignity in what are sometimes complex and emotional hearings.

Dammeier began his public service in law enforcement, working as a dispatcher, jailer and police officer. While working full-time, he went part-time to college and then law school, graduating in the top 5% of his class.  As an attorney for 25 years, Dammeier practiced at all levels of our state and federal courts, from winning his first civil rights case before a federal jury to arguing privacy and employment issues before the California Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court.

Utilizing his law enforcement background and legal experience, then attorney Dammeier was active in public policy, testifying before the State Legislature and assisting in drafting bills, two of which are now law, and serving as a panel advisor to the Speaker’s Committee on Police Conduct.  He is published in his areas of expertise, including “Pocket Guide to the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (U.C. Berkeley) and Fading Privacy Rights of Public Employees (Harvard Law School).

On a community service level, Judge Dammeier is also very active.  From his years volunteering as a reserve deputy sheriff, to him volunteering his time to coach youth sports, sitting on a Board of the American Cancer Society or volunteering his time at a local legal services clinic to help those who could not afford an attorney.  As a volunteer Judge Pro Tem in Superior court, he has adjudicated over 100 cases and currently serves as a volunteer fee dispute arbitrator for the State Bar of California.

Judge Dammeier, a California native, born to immigrant parents and growing up in a single mother household, has provided him the tools to work hard, be empathetic and treat all with respect and compassion.  Traits that are absolutely critical as a judge.