Honorable Joel Martin Pressman

The Honorable Joel M. Pressman (1946–2025)
Joel M. Pressman, a retired Superior Court judge known for his intelligence, wit, and unwavering respect for the dignity of all who entered his courtroom, died on Thursday at his home in Del Mar, California, after a long battle with cancer, which he faced with the same resolve, levity, and generous spirit that defined his life. He was 78.
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Pressman was a trial lawyer for nearly 30 years, specializing in business, real estate, personal injury, and class action litigation. In 2002, Judge Pressman was appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Gray Davis, where he presided over hundreds of cases with a deep commitment to fairness and justice.
Joel was never defined solely by his profession. He was a principled man connected to his Jewish roots, a generous friend, and at heart, an explorer. Joel met his beloved wife, Judy, in an art class in Guadalajara in 1967, and they have traveled the world together ever since, loved and relished with pride their children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Judy; his daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Brad; his son, David, and his partner, Daniel; his grandchildren, Jonah, Sydney, Ezra, and Conrad; his siblings, Robert and Ellen; a cherished extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews; friends, lifelong and new; and, a network of colleagues with whom he shared mutual respect.
His generous sense of humor, boundless compassion, open mind, zest for life, friendship, and insatiable curiosity will be missed.
Services will be held at El Camino Memorial Park on Monday, June 23rd at 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union or the Anti-Defamation League in Judge Pressman's honor.