Judge takes job as director of litigation

Peter J. Polos, an Orange County Superior Court judge and Newport Beach resident, will join a major Los Angeles-based law firm, the company announced Monday.

Polos will serve as director of litigation for Panish Shea & Boyle LLP.

Polos, 45, was on the bench for eight years and presided over last year’s civil suit between Newport Beach Police Lt. Neil Harvey and the city, where Harvey was awarded nearly $2 million for wrongly being passed over for promotions.

He was appointed to the bench by Gov. Gray Davis in December 2000 and sworn in Feb. 8, 2001. He spent the majority of his time presiding over complex civil cases. He also handled felony and misdemeanor trials.

— Joseph Serna