"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Susan Bryant-Deason	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Los Angeles County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.4 - 34 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 4 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

Add your own rating

E-Mail Address ()

Confirm E-mail Address

Zip

Occupation

Add a comment only

Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* 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=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

Please type what you see below:

What others have said about Hon. Susan Bryant-Deason

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA47018
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Pre-judges cases without getting the facts presented. Can't differentiate between an allegation and a proven fact. Minimal understanding of basic legal principles. Terrible reasoning. Easily tricked. Cannot change her mind or admit a mistake. Excludes evidence which contradicts her initial intuition on a case. Very proud. Holds grudges. Constantly yells at people. Strong ties to the female cronies at the courthouse. Many wonder how she stayed on the bench so long.

An acquantaince laughingly bragged he went to trial without preparation to just wing it, got her to exclude some obviously relevant important evidence based on a "BS" objection, then got her to find fraud based on there being no evidence. She excluded from evidence the contract his client admitted to signing. Defense verdict. Acquaintance says he was surprised the plaintiff did not shoot her. Another surreal LA judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA39300
Rating:1.2

Comments:
It's almost as if she's trying to see how awful she can be before the Judicial Council gets involved. Rude, terribly biased against civil defendants, and the temperament of a deposed dictator. I watched her berate a member of her courtroom staff, on the record, for losing the judge's notes. Judge Deason found them two minutes later, in front of her nose. No apology was given. She treats lawyers and parties even worse. I would have given zeros if I could have.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA36458
Rating:1.0

Comments:
WORST JUDGE POSSSIBLE!! RUN!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA21954
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Worse judge I have ever dealt with. She is obnoxious, does not review anything, ignores the law, and does not let you speak. Does not deserve to be a judge. She is not bias, she just does not care.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA14994
Rating:9.5

Comments:
I have found Judge Deason to be a very fair judge though she does not rule in my client's favor many times, she does know the laws and rules accordingly. I have not found her to be bias. I have found she is no nonsense judge, save your excuses.

Litigant

Comment #: CA14529
Rating:1.0

Comments:
RUN, do not walk, away from this "judge" if she is yours. Susan Bryant Deason has made up her mind before the first word has been spoken. She overlooked every aspect of the case and clearly sided from beginning to end with the other side. I wouldn't trust her, I wouldn't believe she can be educated to change her mind. She listens, but she doesn't process. We won! And she was still a nightmare to the other side, she is not what a judge is all about. Do whatever it takes to exit her courtroom into another.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA12248
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Judge Bryant-Deason is, in my opinion, the most biased trial judge I've ever witnessed in action. She regularly treats plaintiffs' lawyers with pleasantries and favorable rulings; and almost always, in my observation, treats defense lawyers with disdain and unfavorable rulings. She was clearly biased in every instance I witnessed. I would avoid her at all costs if I was a defense lawyer in Los Angeles.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA11506
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Defendant does not show up for the CMC, instead of scheduling an OSC for sanctions for defendant, this judge schedules an OSC to dismiss plaintiff's case. FYI: Do not ask for priority, even if your mother is dying, because this judge has absolutely no civility. I AGREE GET OUT OF HER COURTROOM IF POSSIBLE. I can't believe this judge didn't make the 10 worst judges list.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA11163
Rating:1.0

Comments:
NO JUSTICE REFUSES TO LOOK AT THE FACTS OF THE CASE ,CANNOT SEE THROUGH THE DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER AND MAKES HER DECSION ON WHO BRINGS FRAUD UPON THE COURT ,ALLOWS DEFAULTS AND JUDGEMENTS WITHOUT PROPER SERVICE SIGNS ANYTHING THE PARTY SHE FAVORS PUTS IN FRONT OF HER FACE AND GIVES NO DUE PROCESS TO THE PARTY SHE IS BIAS AGAINST WNAT FACTS CASE BC488014 DOUBLED FROM 500 PAGES AT CLOSE OF CASE TO OVER A THOUSAND PAGES SIX MONTHS AFTER CASE CLOSED AND DEASONRULED AGAINST 473 D? Dec Deason set trail for April so I could have cancer surgery yet in fed she allowed a default against me and paid out $68,277 of my money before the trail date in judgments no due process...

Other

Comment #: CA11162
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Susuan Bryant Deason is bias ,prejudice and allows her favorite party to violate rules of court and state and federal laws, NO due process in her court ,in my case she awarded a judgement to the attorneys who said we meet and conferred when my attorney and I had not been served.She is a racisit bully who talks down to people of color .

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA11143
Rating:2.3

Comments:
170.6. Too unpredictable to trust with your case. Rules based on her emotional reaction to the issue or the personalities and bends over backwards for the attorneys she "likes." Probably not "stupid," but has long since quit using her brain on the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9947
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Erratic, rude, demeaning

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9935
Rating:2.4

Comments:
As a witness in a civil litigation, I was shocked at the bias of this judge and how she ran her court. She allowed Plaintiff's attorney to bully witnesses, testify to the jury and generally abuse opposing counsel. A true disappointment to the civil system, to every juror and witness, and to my profession.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA9922
Rating:4.7

Comments:
Ignored the statute of limitations because "it wouldn't be fair". Talked down to immigrant defendants and threatened with deportation possibility -- in a business litigation matter! Appointed a receiver over the objection of both sides and burned through an estate's assets with continuance after continuance until the attorney fees ate up the parties money. A completely nasty and arrogant miserable old woman.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9515
Rating:9.4

Comments:
There is no question that Judge Bryant-Deason does not tolerate name-calling between counsel. My first appearance I saw it from the gallery and learned quickly. That others can't figure that basic adaptation out is inexplicable. Second, I am glad that she has the fortitude to prevent attorney sniping, too much of that is tolerated.

In my rather complicated commercial lit matter she was extremely prepared, had read, understood and analyzed the matter and asked pertinent intelligent questions of both counsel. If you are not similarly prepared and feel the slightest bit defensive to a strong, smart judge I can see how some will react negatively, which frankly has nothing to do with the judge and everything to do with the lawyer.

Even when the judge was ruling against me from time to time I always felt like she was being fair. Her directness, which I appreciate, can put some off if they are not up to the approach.

I would welcome being back in front of her in any capacity.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9514
Rating:1.7

Comments:
This woman has no business being on the bench. I've found her to be imperious, vindictive, mean spirited, abusive to counsel, rude, unfair, and willing to ignore black letter law. She seems to pick a side early, and God help you and your client if she didn't pick your side.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA8752
Rating:6.4

Comments:
I've had two case with her. In both cases she wanted a detailed recitation of the facts, so be prepared to discuss your case with facts and dates.

She waffles a bit, and I've seen her reverse herself on really good tentative rulings.

She was not familiar with my type of motion, which is statutory, but fairly uncommon. I was shocked that she had not heard of the type motion nor read the law concerning the motion before the hearing.

She had not read much of the papers and I don't think wanted to delve into the nitty gritty to figure out the issues. It could be that once she found an "easy" answer, further review was unnecessary.

I'm not wild about her, but I don't know that I would ding her.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA6972
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Bryan is AWFUL. She rarely reads the papers submitted and then admits to it on the record. Instead, she rules as she "sees fit" based on what she thinks of the case. I went into her courtroom one day after calendar to drop off some papers and she was having a discussion with my opposing counsel about our case without me being there. When I objected, she said that she already knew how the case should come out. GET OUT OF HER COURTROOM AT ALL COSTS.

Court Staff

Comment #: CA6768
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Anyone who has ever worked for her knows she is blinded by her biases. Should not be a judge. She eats her own. Seems to hate her job. She fires her staff and blames the budget - then rehires her favorites. She doesn't follow the rules.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA6336
Rating:9.5

Comments:
I have read all of the negative remarks about Judge Bryant-Deason and had to chime in. If you are prepared, well-briefed, and able to discuss the facts and the law with knowledge and confidence, there are few better judges than Judge Bryant-Deason. Try to B.S. her and watch out! She also cares very deeply about her juries and makes sure that the lawyers in her courtroom do as well. She is smart, very detail oriented, reads everything and can absorb complex facts and law quickly. I could not disagree more with all the negativity.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA6195
Rating:1.2

Comments:
Has no business sitting as a judge. Biased from outset of case if she has past relationship with one of the attorneys. In chambers, and when off the record will make snide, degrading comments to and about attorneys. PATHETIC.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5749
Rating:1.6

Comments:
If, in all of your years as an experienced litigator, you have never seen a rude and condescending judge sit on the bench...step into Bryant-Deason's courtroom. She loves talking down to attorneys - it makes her feel much better about her own miserable life.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4659
Rating:2.7

Comments:
Judge Bryant-Deason is without a doubt the rudest judge that I have seen in 36 years of practice. Her biases will become readily apparent almost immediately. I will normally not use a 170.6 on a mean, nasty judge who is smart and arrives at logical conclusions. Is she such a person? I do not know...yet.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4546
Rating:2.6

Comments:
I had a civil case with her. We made a stip to go to binding arbitration. She refused to sign it. We settled so as to not have to deal with her. The only good thing that I can see is that when one of the defendants deposited money with the court, she made sure that I got all my fees out of it. She sanctioned me for not showing up to a motion that had nothing to do with my client.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4527
Rating:1.1

Comments:
I would have given her all zeroes if it had been possible. She is absolutely the worse judge that I have ever appeared before in 28 years of practice. She mocked me ("Don't you know the law?") even though she was absolutely wrong on the law. Also, she did not even pretend that she had read my motion, or that she wasn't biased in favor of the other side. I really can't believe that she is a judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4212
Rating:3.6

Comments:
This judge is bad news. She made up her mind in favor of the plaintiff and made it clear to the litigants and the jury how she felt. We were able to defend the case (a trumped-up minor incident turned into a major incident), despite her biased rulings. For example, she allowed the plaintiff's psych expert to examine the plaintiff, and find that the plaintiff had PTSD, but then refused to allow the defense expert to do the same because it would have been too traumatic, and was going to allow the plaintiff's counsel to comment on the fact that the defense expert had not interviewed the plaintiff. Then she allowed the plaintiff to play the full video of the plaintiff's deposition, then allowed him to testify live in court as well. There were numerous other rulings equally wrong and biased. I won, and I'll still ding her every time. If you're a defendant, just say no.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3407
Rating:2.0

Comments:
She is the worst judge I've ever encountered. A rude, mean, biased, awful judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3406
Rating:3.1

Comments:
Truly awful, biased and unfair. Blatantly so.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2807
Rating:6.3

Comments:
Hard working and cares about "getting it right." She often gets it wrong, however. She is equally surley, condescending and disrespectful to litigants and attorneys from both sides. Maintains complete control of the court, even determining where parties and cousnel must sit, stand, etc. Questions witnesses, and reads jury qeustions to witnesses before sharing them with counsel. Refused to grant summary ajudication on a cause of action for which the plaintiff submitted no evidence or argument; she simply found "issues of fact in dispute" on everything. Somewhat plaintiffs' oriented (she won't grant MSJs/MSAs), but not greatly so.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2697
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Overall, I find this woman disrespectful and apparently mad at the world with her high and mighty attitude. In my 4 years of practice, I have NEVER been spoken to in such a manner. I am a female attorney and did not want to believe that my gender, age or looks had anything to do with her blatant disrespect towards me. After reading other reviews, my suspicions have been confirmed. I will refrain from speaking what is truly on my mind about this "judge," but let's just say that her condescending tone and bad attitude should not be permitted in the court room. Our jobs are hard enough as is. No one should be spoken to in such a manner, let alone counsel. I hope to God I never have to see her face again.

Other

Comment #: CA2450
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A disgrace to the bench.
A disrespectful egomaniac.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1500
Rating:3.4

Comments:
Seems pre-disposed, oddly enough, against female attorneys. I've appeared before her, and (of course) have sat through her calendars waiting my turn - and it seems to be her tendency to disfavor women and favor men. In fact, she tends to be downright intemperate with women. It is a puzzling tendency.

She has a self-important air that is troubling. She is not intellectually interactive. She appears smart, but I am troubled by her gender favortism.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1489
Rating:5.8

Comments:
Slightly idiosyncratic personality. Has her likes and dislikes. Don't call her 'Judge' say 'Your Honor'; and don't use the word 'Yeah' instead of 'Yes'.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1346
Rating:8.3

Comments:
Hm. Maybe it's because she liked me that I thought she was fair. But she lectured me on doing something against local rules, and I still think she was impartial, logical and smart.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA1206
Rating:2.4

Comments:
She rules in favor of who she likes, regardless of the law. If she likes you or dislikes your opposition, great. If not, 170.6 for sure.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1195
Rating:2.4

Comments:
Thinks she is God