The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Reason for Running, Experiences and Personal Qualities

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Thomas Rubinson:

• 17 years, Deputy District Attorney
• 6 years, Hardcore Gang Division
• 88 felony jury trials
• Promoted to leadership/management roles
• Demonstrated commitment to community service

Answer from Cynthia Loo:

• 8 plus years Judicial Experience as a Superior Court referee
• Presided over more than 1000 juvenile criminal trials
• Adjunct Professor - Criminal Procedure, Juvenile Justice
• Former attorney for abused/neglected children
• Board of Governors - WLALA, CAAJA, APABA, APAWLA

Answer from Mark Lee:

• Over 45 criminal jury trials
• Worked in both adult and juvenile courts
• Over 100 civil trials
• Handled criminal and civil cases in courtrooms across LA

Answer from Cynthia Loo:

Though I'm making a difference now as a Superior Court referee, I would be in a better position to do so as a Judge. I'm seeking a more active role in the leadership of the court, to make the justice system more responsive to the community.

Answer from Mark Lee:

I want to improve our courts. Many judges use their courtrooms to showcase themselves. This results in delayed justice and frustration. I will restore confidence in the courts.

Answer from Thomas Rubinson:

The contribution I have made to my community by serving as a Deputy District Attorney can be enlarged and enhanced as a judge, as I would have the ability to impact more cases and more lives.

Answer from Cynthia Loo:

I am doing the same work as the judges in the courthouse where I am currently assigned.

I have run my own courtroom in East Los Angeles for three years, as well as one in Compton for three years before that. Additionally, I have previous judicial experience hearing family law matters.

I am the recipient of the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court Bar Association's 2004 Juvenile Court Judge of the Year award "as a result of the vote of [JCBA's] members in recognition of distinguished professional contribution to the practice of California Juvenile law . . ."

Prior to being sworn to sit as a Superior Court referee, I have been a research attorney in civil and criminal matters for U.S. District Court Judge Edward Rafeedie. Later, I was appointed by the First, Second and Fourth District Court of Appeals to represent indigent individuals in civil appeals.

I am currently teaching my fifth semester of criminal procedure at the People's College of Law. I have also taught courses in juvenile justice.

I have spoken on behalf of the Superior Court to the Community regarding topics such as gang violence, the "Three Strikes" law, domestic violence, women in the law, teaching law, diversity in the legal profession and on the bench, and juvenile justice.

I have been requested to submit articles for publication to GAVEL TO GAVEL, the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Judicial Magazine; THE BENCH, the official magazine of the California Judge's Association and LA LAWYER, the publication of the LA County Bar. Her articles have also been published in THE CRIMINAL DOCKET, the publication of the Criminal Justice Section of the LA County Bar; CALIFORNIA COURT'S REVIEW; WHITTIER JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY; DAILY JOURNAL; WLALA NEWSLETTER and the American Bar Association's JD RECORD.

Answer from Mark Lee:

I have dedicated my life to improving our communities. As a prosecutor, I work with the police to keep our communities safe. As a professor, I educate adults. As a youth leader, I mentor kids to be respectful, conscience and caring. My life is about community service.

Answer from Thomas Rubinson:

My values: fairness, honesty, integrity, ethics, and a commitment to the truth. Those values, in combination with my academic background and broad courtroom experience in the most difficult and complex cases, well equip me to serve as a judge.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.