Commissioner Palvir K. Shoker — Department 50

Biographical Information

  • Education:California State University, Sacramento (Bachelors of Science, Accounting)Santa Clara University (Law School)
  • Pre-bench Legal Experience:20 years as civil litigator and mediatorMediator: The Congress of Neutrals and Shoker Law GroupPartner: Ladva, Shoker & Associates

    Adjunct Professor: Chabot College

  • Political Affiliation: Democrat

 

Judicial Experience

Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities

Pro Tem Judge, Settlement Mentor, Discovery Facilitator

Chief Executive Officer and Mediator Trainer: The Congress of Neutrals

President: Contra Costa Bar Association, ADR Section

 

Civic & Professional Activities

Member: Robert McGrath Inns of Court

 

Typical weekly schedule

Monday, Wednesday and Friday Morning: Traffic Trials, Traffic Arraignments, and Small Claims

Monday and Tuesday Afternoon: Criminal Misdemeanor Arraignments

Tuesday and Thursday Morning: Traffic Trials, Traffic Arraignments, and Unlawful Detainers

Thursday Afternoons: Civil Harassments

 

Courtroom Policies

  •  Rules from bench except in small claims cases
  •  Zoom appearances allowed
  • Strong preference for parties to engage in mediation prior to trial

 

Teleconferencing

Zoom and telephonic appearance upon written request

 

Motions

Normal briefing schedule for Unlawful Detainers. No tentative rulings. Attorney Fees must be noticed motion.

 

ADR

Congress of Neutrals mediators are available every morning and Thursday afternoons to offer free mediation services. Strong preference for mediation prior to hearings.

 

In Limine Motions

n/a

 

Voir Dire

n/a

 

Jury Instructions

n/a

 

Witnesses

Live witness testimony permitted but court will determine if witness testimony is duplicative and will limit witnesses in certain cases.

 

Sanctions

n/a

 

Documents

Exchange documents before hearing

 

Decorum

Demonstrate respect, courtesy, and patience to each other and to the court

 

Court Reporters & Translators

Electronic recording only

Translators, as needed

Language Line, as needed

 

Computers in the Courtroom

Allowed for presentations, displaying evidence

 

Audio-visual

n/a

 

Cameras in the Courtroom

Per local rules

 

Advice

Respect the process and the people involved

Come prepared and willing to mediate

Avoid interruptions

Professional and courteous behavior