League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Judge of the Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 114

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Personal Qualities, Access to the Legal System Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What experiences and personal qualities best equip you to serve as judge? Answer from Ben M. Brees: BENJIMIN M. BREES PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND Law Offices of John C. Ye APLC, Los Angeles CA 90010, February 2009 + present One of two trial attorneys handling cases from filing through completion on behalf of plaintiffs exclusively. Cases include limited and unlimited jurisdictions as well as UIM arbitrations. Also handles Hearings on Minor's Comp in probate. LOUIS & BREES, LLP, Van Nuys, CA 91411, June 1, 2000 to January 2009 Partner in a personal injury law firm with full case responsibility from claims stage and litigation through trial. Served in the L. A. Superior Court ADR as a Mediator/Arbitrator as well as CRASH Settlement Officer. THOMAS & PRICE, ATTORNEYS, Glendale, CA 91203. October 1988 to May 31, 2000. Initially worked as a law clerk for firm partners and upon completing law school and passing the Bar, worked as an Associate Attorney handling file preparation for the partners and working an individual case load of a combination of personal injury defense and personal injury plaintiff cases. Eventually assigned my own case load and all discovery, depositions, court appearances and jury trials. 1972- 1989 After graduating from University of Notre Dame in 1972, worked as a substitute teacher, Probation Officer, Pre-Trial Release Officer, commission sales and owned two small businesses. Details available on request. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Admitted to California State Bar 1990 (Passed February 1990 Bar Exam) University of La Verne College of Law, JD ( December 1989)(Night Program) University of Notre Dame, BA Modern Languages 1972 Answer from Berj Parseghian: I have been practicing law in Los Angeles for more than twelve years. In that time, I have developed the broad, diverse and substantial experience essential to serving as an effective Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. My strong educational foundation speaks for itself. I am a proud alum of the University of Michigan, where I graduated with high honors with a B.S. in Chemistry. From there, I completed a year of graduate work in Chemistry at Caltech and then went on to receive my law degree from UCLA, graduating at the top of my class. Service to my community has been a central thread throughout my life. From volunteer work with my church when I was young to my current volunteer work as a temporary judge, I have always believed it is my duty to contribute to my community. My colleagues, family and friends know me as a smart and talented attorney with an even temperament and the ability to get things done with a smile. I am grateful for the support of those closest to me and the educational and career opportunities that have shaped me with the credentials to serve as a Superior Court Judge. I currently practice at an international law firm with a reputation for providing the highest caliber legal services. My practice as an environmental and energy attorney combines the challenge of navigating a complex area of the law with my longstanding interest in serving my community. I have represented individuals, businesses and government agencies on both the plaintiff's and defense-side. I have worked on small pro bono matters as well as high-impact litigation for Fortune 500 companies. My skill set is well-suited to meet the demands of a trial court judge. I am a strong writer and have briefed and argued countless complex legal issues in state and federal courts. Over the years, I have developed strong negotiating skills, and I am effective in reaching settlements. I know that listening is the most important skill for a lawyer or judge. Most relevant, however, is my experience as arbitrator and volunteer temporary judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court. As an arbitrator and a volunteer temporary judge, I have presided over more than 1,000 cases throughout Los Angeles County. I have listened to the parties, evaluated the evidence and issued prompt, clear and consistent decisions. My reputation is one of balance -- operating efficiently while paying careful attention to the details and always treating those before me with dignity and respect. Based on my strong character, solid skills and wide-ranging experience, I would be honored to devote myself as a steward of justice as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. Answer from Eric Harmon: I have been in public service my entire professional career and find it incredibly rewarding. I would like to take my experience as an advocate in the courtroom and put it to good use at the next level of decision making: the bench. While I have loved representing the People and helping victims, the bench is where I see myself doing the most good for the community. My experience in the courtroom has taught me to respect the many smart, fair, and firm judicial officers on the Los Angeles County Superior Court bench. Following their lead, I take seriously the responsibility of staying current on the law and I am committed to evaluating testimony in a fair and impartial fashion. My courtroom experience has taught me the necessity of treating all participants with respect and the necessity of ruling swiftly and decisively after full participation by the litigants. In addition to possessing the necessary experience, I have witnessed the demeanor and temperament of dozens of excellent Superior Court judges and I believe that I share their temperament. I am proud of my reputation and relationships throughout the legal community, amongst prosecutors, judges, court reporters, interpreters, bailiffs, and defense attorneys. Furthermore, while I have tried dozens of serious and violent cases in the courtroom, I have also developed expertise in the areas of research and writing. I have litigated hundreds of written motions in the area of criminal procedure and evidence. My knowledge of criminal procedure, the Penal Code, and the Evidence Code has been tested on intensive district attorney promotional exams and, more importantly, everyday in court. Lastly, I have witnessed the fact that a courtroom is a remarkably complex environment in which hardworking professional people (judicial assistants, reporters, bailiffs, attorneys, jurors, and interpreters) all work together to see that justice is done in an efficient and timely fashion, sometimes under intense pressure and budgetary constraints. To run an efficient and fair courtroom, the judge must effectively lead these professionals each and every day. Furthermore, effective courtroom management requires a respect for every person's job and a true interest in overseeing a work environment that is as pleasant as possible for everyone. I have been in the courtroom my entire professional career, every day, and I am genuinely committed to serving the litigants and the public with integrity, firmness, and fairness. It is this experience and devotion to public service which I would like to take to the bench. 2. Do you believe that all citizens have adequate access to legal help and the legal system? If not, what can be done to provide wider and better access? Answer from Berj Parseghian: I am deeply committed to equal access to justice. Unfortunately, it has become common for individuals to represent themselves because they have no alternative. I am an avid believer in the court partnering with non-profit organizations committed to serving this need by offering assistance through clinics or pro bono services supported by the private bar. Justice is for everyone--not just those who can afford to pay for an attorney. Being at the center of the process, I believe the court is the logical place to start. Answer from Ben M. Brees: Ben will bring to the bench a solid middle-class work ethic that his life experience has taught him and a progressive point of view. Ben possesses an unwavering commitment to impartiality and fairness to all persons who will appear in his courtroom, because he believes the playing field has to be level. During Ben's career he has, unfortunately, encountered courts that demonstrated undisguised bias against his clients/consumers which is not widespread but exists nonetheless. M.L. King said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." Ben believes judges have an opportunity to hammer that "bending" with each decision. Answer from Eric Harmon: While not everyone has equal access to legal help, continued public support of public defenders and legal aid is essential. In the criminal context I have witnessed the professionalism and hard work by the attorneys in the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Officer, and Alternate Public Defenders Office. While these lawyers are often my opponents on the other side of the courtroom, I have enormous respect for them and the work they do. In particular, diligent work on behalf of indigent defendants ensures that the rights of all citizens are protected and helps for the efficient and professional administration of criminal justice. Continued staffing and funding at high levels of these offices will provide top-notch legal representation to thousands of people in our community. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.