Mar
6
Several weeks ago I stopped in on Dept. 83 (LA Superior), the court of Judge Rudolph A. Diaz…this guy looks like a judge! Very distinguished with silver hair. He almost looks like one of my instructors at the police academy, a retired police detective from New York who could have been his brother. You know […]
Mar
4
John’s Rate-a-Judge: Commissioner Harvey A. Silberman
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Today I spent time in Commissioner Harvey A. Silberman’s court — Dept. #7 (L.A. Superior) — and this guy will raise his voice if he thinks you are not getting it! He has a great delivery, and for us sitting in the audience, there is humor here. None for you, unless your lawyer […]
Jan
9
Judge Gail R. Feuer: Here Comes the Judge!
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My first LA Superior Court visit for the New Year, 2008 was to her Honor Gail R. Feuer. Department 67 is now her domain and Judge Shaller is now sitting in Department 10 and looking very happy!
My first impression of Judge Feuer was “wow!” She has a presence and is savvy enough to […]
Dec
17
John’s Rate-a-Judge: Michael P. Linfield, LA Superior Court
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Having a little time on my hands, I hung out in Department 22, The Bench of Judge Michael Paul Linfield. There are two boxes of tissue on the “long table,” one at each end. One for the respondent and one for the petitioner…aka the former husband and wife…depending on who drops the hammer […]
Dec
12
John’s Rate-a-Judge: Kenneth Black, South District, Long Beach
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If ever there was a “Rock Star” in the judicial world, it is my opinion that Judge Kenneth Black would have that title! His court is never going to be boring as long as he is sitting in the #1 spot. Judge Black has coined many expressions from the bench, and I believe that I […]
Dec
7
John’s Rate-a-Judge: Commissioner James Endman, Dept. 84
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Poor Commissioner Endman, is he the Rodney Dangerfield of commissioners at Stanley Mosk (LA County Superior Court)? Once again, this week I have been told by two attorneys that going before this commish is painful! “Cantankerous” is the position of one legal eagle and the head of a very prestigious firm here in […]
Nov
29
John’s Rate-a-Judge: Mark Juhas
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On Monday, I had the opportunity to sit in the courtroom of Judge Mark A. Juhas, L.A. Superior Court, Dept. 43. Are we just lucky to have judges at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse who all seem so compassionate as this group? I have yet to find a judge who is not a little “likable.” Oh […]
Nov
8
Commissioner Gordon and Dept. 88
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Today I visited one of my favorite Commissioner/”Judges” and that is Scott Gordon in Dept. 88, his court room was packed, standing room only! How is it always like this? His bailiff is firm and so very polite, people were standing outside and being called in, it was like IKEA for family law […]
Nov
7
John’s Rate-a-Judge: Shaller, Gordon, Pellman, Lewis, Taylor
Filed Under Judges, John's Rate-a-Judge | 1 Comment
Judge Fredrick Shaller, Dept. 67, appears to me to give everyone a chance to speak, and listens and reads. Reading is something often handled in chambers and he appears to be reviewing from the bench, and interacts with those in front of him. His court is in order, and he has a great […]
Nov
6
Desperate Exes rates lawyers and judges
Filed Under Judges, John's Rate-a-Lawyer, John's Rate-a-Judge, Lawyers | 1 Comment
These evaluations will come from my personal interviews, as well as feedback from you, my readers, and those in the throws of this dog and pony show! I am planning on evaluating the judges in family courts, too. And even the private judges: talk about an interesting experience…this is a judge who […]