Hon. Virginia A. Phillips See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
C.D.Cal.  
Average Rating:5.8 - 17 rating(s)
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Ratings
*Temperament:   (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Scholarship:   (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Industriousness:   (1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
*Ability to Handle Complex Litigation:    (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Punctuality:    (1=Chronic`y Late,10=Always on Time)
*Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation:    (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
*Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation:   (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Flexibility In Scheduling   (1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Pre-Trial:   (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Civil Settlement Discussions:   (1=Least Involved,10=Most Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Trial:    (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Sentencing:    (1=Most Lenient,10=Most Harsh)
Typical Discount Off Guidelines for Cooperators:    (1=10%,10=100%)
  Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating
Comments


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What others have said about Hon. Virginia A. Phillips


Comments


Other

Comment #: 34782
Rating:1.0
Comments:
The US has had tremendous trouble with faulty medical products made in China. Many,if used, could even cause someone's death. However,this judge insisted that US customers pay for these goods. After this case, the good products stayed in China and faulty rejects were sent to the US.

Send e-mail to this poster 7/30/2022 11:32:31 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 34457
Rating:1.4
Comments:
Judge Virginia Phillips is a complete pouting TODDLER when reversed by the 9th Circuit. She is a great example of why cases should NOT be returned to originating judges after Appeal.

...wishing her well in retirement, but so happy she’s leaving.

Send e-mail to this poster 2/18/2022 3:17:35 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 32895
Rating:3.2
Comments:
Third in my list of the three worst judges I have appeared before in 40 years of practice.

Send e-mail to this poster 11/27/2019 10:31:23 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 32803
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I have been before Judge Phillips both when she was a Commissioner on the Riverside Superior Court, and later on the federal bench. Very scholarly, reads the papers and knows your issues and arguments as well as or better than you or your opponent does. One of my favorite jurists in the federal system.

Send e-mail to this poster 9/24/2019 7:09:02 PM

Other

Comment #: 30899
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge is terrible. She attempted to assert unconstitutional stipulations against a plaintiff and her party by stating that there could be no protests within 2 blocks of the courthouse. If there were any, she would either declare a mistrial or have someone tossed in jail for contempt of court. She told the plaintiff's council that they cannot call her "judge," and if they did, they would be thrown in jail or fined for contempt of court. She told people that they could not wear t-shirts with "messages" on them for fear that it would sway the jury, but did nothing when 2 of her jurors were falling in and out of sleep during trial. She allowed the defense to use perjured documents as evidence. She clearly showed favor to the defense attorneys and his client. Reckless in power, biased and negligent.

Send e-mail to this poster 2/19/2019 4:49:16 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 28721
Rating:10.0
Comments:
One of the best judges I've been before. Strategically brilliant and thoughtful.

Send e-mail to this poster 10/18/2018 4:14:12 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 25393
Rating:4.4
Comments:
I would never appear before this Judge again.

Send e-mail to this poster 5/17/2018 7:58:14 PM

Litigant

Comment #: 24663
Rating:1.0
Comments:
i WAS INFORMED BY DOJ THAT JUDGE PHILLIPS IS THE CHIEF JUDGE BUT FOR SURE DOES NOT ACT LIKE ONE.. SHE DOES NOT CARE WHETHER FRAUD TAKES PLACE IN THE FED COURT, NOR IF SUMMARY JUDGEMENT IS GIVEN TO A FRAUD DEFENDANT WHO PRODUCED FRAUD DOCUMENTS...WHO EVER PUT HER IN CHARGE PLEASE FIRE HER!!!!!! CASE #5:16-CV-01200-AB

Send e-mail to this poster 8/11/2017 10:23:30 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 23201
Rating:3.7
Comments:
She is without a doubt the government/prosecutions best friend. She is either incredibly dumb, or biased; and biased looks like the winner, but it could easily be a combination of both. Terrible judge.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/7/2016 3:06:55 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 22243
Rating:4.7
Comments:
#6788, and the other positive comments, must be a troll or a former clerk. This judge is notorious horrible for defendants and defense attorneys -- although I can see why prosecutors absolutely LOVE her. I have been a defense attorney for a long time and do not know any defense attorneys who enjoy trying cases in her courtroom. She will literally bend over backwards to accommodate the government. Very pro-prosecution. She holds grudges against defense attorneys, and is well known for getting them kicked off the CJA panel.

Send e-mail to this poster 12/11/2014 10:17:05 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 20939
Rating:4.3
Comments:
I get the impression that Judge Phillips thinks that starving plaintiffs of discovery will lighten her docket. The opposite is true. It increases litigation by emboldening defense attorneys to think that they may get away with a case that otherwise would have to be settled. It is because of this that she has one of the most congested calendars in the Central District.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/5/2013 12:26:48 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 11390
Rating:3.8
Comments:
Failing to see the big picture has cost her many points. She can recite law very nice and uses it when she needs and then leaves it when it contradicts her decision.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/31/2010 8:50:10 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9741
Rating:5.7
Comments:
This Judge is so overwhelmed that she does everything possible to remand or otherwise transfer a case. In fact, she fails to listen to the evidence or follow the law as to cases that should be in front of her. Anything she can do to get rid of a case, she will do.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/25/2010 8:12:59 PM

Prosecutor

Comment #: 8100
Rating:9.6
Comments:
In my 15 years of legal practice, all of which has been in litigation, she is without a doubt the best judge I have ever appeared before. Totally fair, thoughtful, reviews all written work by the parties, and a genuinely good person. I haven't seen her make a bad decision yet, even when she rules against me. A true role model for women lawyers.

Send e-mail to this poster 2/20/2009 5:39:40 PM

Other

Comment #: 7654
Rating:10.0
Comments:
I believe that Judge Phillips was a very honorable judge. She was very patient, professional and courteous with me during my change of plea and sentencing. Glad I got this judge in Riverside.

Send e-mail to this poster 12/21/2008 1:08:40 AM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 6788
Rating:9.8
Comments:
While she can be a bit cranky at times and be brutal on lawyers and their nonsense, she is as smart as they come and is the person you would want in argument. She is completely engaged and follows the reasoned analysis wherever it goes. Not a government leaning judge, unlike the fellow down the hall from her. Has a deeper understanding of the nature of judging than any of the fifty odd Article III judges I have appeared before in my so-called career.

Send e-mail to this poster 9/20/2008 5:56:09 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 4640
Rating:9.3
Comments:
Fair. Listens and not biased

Send e-mail to this poster 8/26/2007 7:53:43 PM