---
title: "Douglas Stern | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/douglas-stern-ct"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Douglas Stern

Norwalk - Wilton Probate Court · Probate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Norwalk - Wilton Probate Court
- State: Connecticut
- Role: Probate Judge
- Service status: active

## Summary

Douglas Stern — Norwalk - Wilton Probate Court

## Sources

- [Court Locator](https://www.ctprobate.gov/court-locator)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Douglas W. Stern is a retired judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California, who served from 2013 until his retirement on March 13, 2025, and now works as a neutral dispute resolution specialist with Alternative Resolution Centers
- Teaching: Adjunct professor at USC Gould School of Law, teaching Remedies

### Education

- UCLA School of Law — J.D. (1978)

### Additional information

- From 1999 to 2011, Stern served on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, including two terms as mayor (2003, 2008)
- He now serves as a neutral mediator and arbitrator through Alternative Resolution Centers, leveraging his extensive litigation and judicial experience to resolve complex disputes
- Stern retired after 111⁄2 years on the bench, citing a desire to travel, spend time with his wife, daughters, and grandchild Metropolitan News-Enterprise



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Connecticut Probate Court Rule 66.1 — electronic participation](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c0aec96b376d18df89851f00) — Probate Courts only. Rule 66.1 was amended July 1, 2022 and retained in the July 2026 compilation. Electronic participation is discretionary, not an entitlement. Shared baseline only, not a judge-specific preference or complete local rules inventory. Apply source exceptions, case-type limits, later amendments and case orders. [Official source](https://www.ctprobate.gov/Documents/Probate%20Court%20Rules%20of%20Procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.