U.S. District Judge James Otero of the Central District of California will be retiring later this month after 32 years on the state and federal bench.

A longtime member the Central District of California’s patent pilot program, the 68-year-old judge will join JAMS effective May 1 as a mediator and arbitrator. “I intend to bring my experience in IP and as a state court judge to help resolve complex matters,” Otero said by email Monday.