David T. Bristow Appointed as United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California

The United States District Court for the Central District of California announces the appointment of David T. Bristow as a United States Magistrate Judge.  Judge Bristow, who was sworn in on November 22, 2023, will preside over matters in Riverside in the Court’s Eastern Division.  Judge Bristow succeeds Judge Kenly Kiya Kato, who was recently elevated to a district judgeship.

This is Judge Bristow’s second appointment as a magistrate judge for the Court.  Prior to his return to the bench, Judge Bristow served as General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Entrepreneurial Corporate Group, a family office with a diverse business and investment portfolio.  In that role, he provided counsel and advice regarding operational and legal issues, supervised all litigation, and served on the board of directors of three corporate holding companies in the United Kingdom. 

Before joining Entrepreneurial Corporate Group, Judge Bristow served as a magistrate judge in the Eastern Division of the Central District from June 2009 to June 2017.  As a magistrate judge, Judge Bristow maintained a civil and criminal docket that included many complex matters involving a wide range of legal issues.  Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2009, Judge Bristow’s practice consisted primarily of commercial litigation with a focus on business, contract, employment, and real estate disputes, as well as providing general counsel services.  He was the managing shareholder at the law firm of Reid & Hellyer (2003–2009), a senior associate at Akin, Grump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld (1999–2003), an associate at Burke, Williams & Sorenson (1998–1999), an associate at Thomas, Mort, Prosser & Knudsen (1997–1998), and an associate at Fidler, Bell, Orrock & Watase (1993–1994).  Additionally, from 1994 to 1997, Judge Bristow served as a deputy district attorney and then as a deputy public defender for San Bernardino County.

Throughout his career, Judge Bristow has demonstrated a commitment to pro bono and public service.  He has provided pro bono legal services to several organizations, including the Inland AIDS Project and Volunteers in Parole.  He serves on Senator Diane Feinstein’s Judicial Evaluation Committee, and he has also been active in several bar and professional organizations, including serving as president of the Riverside County Bar Association from 2006 to 2007, as a lawyer representative for the Central District from October 2005 to October 2008, and as a member of the Central District’s Attorney Admissions Fund from July 2017 to present.  Additionally, he has served on several non-profit boards, including the Inland Empire Community Foundation, Monday Morning Group of Riverside, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, and Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center.

Judge Bristow received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at San Bernardino in 1985, and his Juris Doctor degree from University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1993.

Including the position now occupied by Judge Bristow, the Central District of California has 24 full-time and one part-time magistrate judge positions.  The Central District of California is comprised of the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.  It serves more than 19.3 million people, nearly half the population of the State of California.
 

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KIRY K. GRAY
DISTRICT COURT EXECUTIVE / CLERK OF COURT