League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Ben M. Brees Answers Questions Candidate for 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.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experiences and personal qualities best equip you to serve as judge?

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

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?

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.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 14, 2012 14:31
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