"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Michael I. Levanas	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Los Angeles County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 6.3 - 6 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 4.0 - 12 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:

Not an even number!

What others have said about Hon. Michael I. Levanas

Comments

Other

Comment #: CA48897
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Clearly Judge Levanas loves his work and treats the court process and each person involved with a deep respect. It was a joy to be in his courtroom as a potential juror. I did not have to serve ultimately but witnessed him over 4 days during jury selection. I hope all people involved in a case feel as respected and cared for as we were in Judge Levanas’ courtroom.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA40249
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Excellent judge. Fair, treats all parties with respect, listens to the evidence, and makes sound rulings.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA39399
Rating:10.0

Comments:
He was very competent, intelligent, even-tempered, and fair. I was granted a permanent DVRO, where other party and his attorney were trash-talking me and had no evidence. I had plenty of evidence. Judge Levanas saw right through other attorney/party and skewered them in judge's findings and rulings. Smart judge. And I think other judges respect him, because when I have had to exhibit Judge Levanas' findings/rulings in other cases, the other judges always accept what he found and even build on that. So for me he was perfect.

Litigant

Comment #: CA37570
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Levanas did his job. He was patient and shorten time to hear a motion for reconsideration with a stay for covid-19!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA27442
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The judge did not do his job. I sought information pertaining to malicious and false report, and the right to that information is secured by Penal Code Sec. 11172. He apparently did not bother to read anything, and just denied the request. I went into the courthouse and it is impossible to speak to anyone - my sense is that he hides because he is so disliked. He should be voted out of office immediately.

Other

Comment #: CA26503
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I was a juror in a recent construction site injury case that came before Judge Levanas. I and all the jurors on that case (which took a bit longer than the typical case) were extremely impressed with the Judge's conduct of the trial, how he related to the attorneys, the witnesses and jurors. He was respectful, patient and professional. He conducted and set a tone for the trial which allowed for both sides to be heard efficiently. If I happened to be involved in any litigation, I would hope to have a Judge like Judge Levanas that demonstrated his knowledge of the case as it moved forward as well as his command of the courtroom. His clerk was also very efficient and helpful. Even though the trial took jurors away from their daily lives for over two weeks, all the jurors left feeling that their time was well spent and that they had participated in a good and worthwhile experience. If all jury experiences were like the one in Judge Levanas' courtroom I dare say that those who receive a summons to serve would understand the importance of doing so and would not dread being called for service.

Other

Comment #: CA13285
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Lavanas did not read any of the evidence I placed into the courts he heard lies and dishonesty and completely ignored it. I find him to be heartless and racist. He discriminates 's against those who may lack education or court experience. I worked in POR PER in his courtroom he would just rest his head on his hands while listening to the case. he only cares about his lawyer friends. The California Court care nothing about the people they will. wast time just for a check. and robbing the graves of the dead.

Other

Comment #: CA11243
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
We requested a re-hearing which is guaranteed "as of right" by WIC 252 since there was no official reporter (court reporter) at the hearing. Judge Michael I. Levanas, as the presiding judge, ignored the plane language of WIC 252 and stated we would not get a rehearing - violating statutory law in the process. Case closed. My son was convicted of a misdemeanor vehicle code without ever being afforded the right of being heard by an actual judge. Shameful. I have zero faith in the LA Court system thanks to Judge Levanas. Filing a complaint with the state's Commission on Judicial Performance.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA7436
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is unjust and a part of the good old boy system. He dose not care for the truth only his friendship with is lawyer buddies. He uses his position to further his friends. I'm glad he is know longer a probate Judge but any where he goes is injustice will rain.

Other

Comment #: CA6859
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Unfair and unjust sides with lawyers that are his friend instead of the truth. Contradicts himself and is not a man of his word. He side with those who have money and allows his friend to get away with lying under oath.

Other

Comment #: CA6724
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I dealt with Judge Levanas for years before he went to his new post. I ALWAYS found him to be fair and VERY patient. Over the past 4 1/2 years I have sat through lots of drama from other cases in his courtroom and could not believe the man didn't throw the majority of those people out of his court. But that's where his astounding long-suffering character comes in. I have seen him talk to the children whose cases came before him as if they really mattered. He has always been fair, patient, and very helpful to this old lady.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA5615
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This Sterling case shows he is abomination in the legal world. What a disgrace and certainly not fit to sit on the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: CA5144
Rating:4.0

Comments:
Has lost his judicial inquisitiveness, maybe he never had it though. He should not be on the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: CA4216
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Awful. He didn't remember anything that was testified to, other than the crooked attorney who we're fighting against. This attorney stands to steal our last asset, and Judge Levanas hasn't paid attention to the facts. He has delayed for well over a year, dragging the case out. He will destroy this family. He is completely unfair and is ruling on hearsay!

Other

Comment #: CA3753
Rating:7.0

Comments:
I think Judge Levanas is fair, demonstrates professionalism and expertise. He can be abrupt, but only in the face of ill-preparedness or incompetence. His courtroom runs smoothly and he can, on occasion, show a good sense of humor.

Litigant

Comment #: CA3625
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was reading a recent Praise of Judge Michael I. Levanas. If this is a true endorsement Judge Levanas must have mended his ways. I have been dealing with this Judge in my probate matter for several years & I have never seen this side of him. I find him to be a Bully. Kind to the Elderly? He must have realized that he is elderly. I hope that the previous person rating this Judge the best of luck. As for me I wish Judge Levanas would immediately retire to an Island by himself where he can look at the Transcripts from my case & read the Objections like he should have done in the first place.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA3621
Rating:9.5

Comments:
He conducted our settlement conference and was instrumental in getting the other side (a highly emotional pro per who wouldn't listen to anyone regarding the legal merits) to settle for a reasonable sum. He was compassionate with her, but was also able to look through the dramatics (crocodile tears by the pro per) to get to the legal issues and get the matter settled. Not a super sharp recall of events when you appear before him the next time, but for a settlement conference, he did a fabulous job.

Also, I saw him handle a very busy calendar re: conservatorships and guardianships, and he was so kind and gentle to the children and the elderly who came before him. After seeing him in action, I wonder whether the reviewers before me got him on a bad day, or if I just got him on an unusually good day. Either way, I would definitely be happy to have him again.

Litigant

Comment #: CA3598
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Does not listen,shows bias towards certain attorneys,& litigants does not use the evidence or facts that are presented to him.Only his opinion matters. He is Rude & is to old to be in touch with the reality of your case.

Other

Comment #: CA2528
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He allows his "intellect" to take over vs. the facts presented in front of him.

Transfer your case out of his department immediately. I'm partially convinced he is a judge that only aims to keep his job alive by creating more hearings in order to make money for his department.

Litigant

Comment #: CA2473
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Arrogant, behaves like a bully. Absolutely ignorant of elder abuse issues or doesn't care. Shameful misuse of obvious intelligence or clever use of laziness- either inexcusable.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA391
Rating:6.0

Comments:
Doesn't seem to be inclined to decide anything. "Let's have another hearing..."; "I sit as a court of equity and want to do the 'right thing.'" Justice delayed is justice denied and the clients run out of money - bad for clients and bad for lawyers.