"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Mark H. Epstein	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Los Angeles County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 8.4 - 11 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 2.0 - 7 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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

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What others have said about Hon. Mark H. Epstein

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: CA53251
Rating:1.0

Comments:
We were litigants in two cases in front of this senile incompetent idiot. We WON both our cases and I am writing this because he is an embarrassment to the legal system. He is completely bias to defense no matter the case. I think he thinks that is what “woke” is so he does everything in his power to help them. He also seems to be lonely and treats women completely different than men. With female lawyers he acts like he is on a dating game and lets them do whatever they want be it unethical behavior, not follow procedural rules, or make him look like a fool. With Men he does nothing of the sort. He also loves to hear himself talk and lets his morning sessions last 4-5 hours with business that could have been handled in 30 minutes. I honestly wonder if he is senile because his rulings show a lack of understanding of basic law . The reviews on here that are positive must be completely fake or written by equally incompetent and unprofessional dopes.

Litigant

Comment #: CA52678
Rating:10.0

Comments:
We were Plaintiffs in pro per. Judge Epstein was reassigned to our (legal malpractice) case, following the retirement of the trial court judge who heard the trial, we filed an appeal challenging that judge’s decision prior to his retirement, the judgment was reversed in our favor, but the case remained idle for two years after the filing of the remittitur due to serious mishandling by Santa Monica Courthouse. When the case was finally assigned to Judge Epstein he read the entire opinion of the court of appeal, he then analyzed and summarized it with detailed clarity. He took the time to review legal submissions and listens to the arguments. Courteous and patient with the parties. Judge Epstein possesses an impeccable knowledge of the law, he explains his rulings so lucidly that everyone can understand it laypersons and attorneys alike. He did not rule for us on all the issues we raised, he simply followed the law. He did not allow unnecessary time-consuming legal technicalities to impede fair and expeditious resolution of the case. He issued an eight-page minute order discussing in detail the reasons he granted us the second amended complaint, that minute order alone serves as a valuable educational material for those who take lively interest in legal education. In our humble opinion, this judge belongs to the Supreme Court of the United States. We are not exaggerating when we say that we were beginning to trust the judicial system, we actually started to believe that the court is not only functioning but is functioning properly in the administration of justice until a few weeks before trial, when a court official unexpectedly decided to transfer the case to another judge (for the fourth time) who knew nothing about the case, that new judge did not rule in our favor, she based her decision on non-existent facts and arguments as to all causes of action, in other words she invented another second amended complaint. We thought that she must have confused the facts of our case with another case, she did not review any document relating to the case, she even inexplicably ignored all the exhibits relating to our economic and noneconomic damages. We filed objections to the court’s decision; our objections were overruled. Even the signed judgment was missing six pages and was therefore incomplete, we filed a request for inclusion of the missing pages but our request was ignored. To sum up; based on our experience, Judge Epstein is incomparable among his peers. Case # SC121825.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA49385
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Wow, this guy likes to hear himself talk. I’ve never heard anyone who is more impressed with himself. Pack a lunch if you’re on his morning calendar.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA42057
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Brilliant, hard-working, and reads everything you submit. He is fair and works with you to get your case resolved. Even when he rules against me I still respect his reasoning.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA39942
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Fantastic disposition belongs on the Supreme Court.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA36764
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I always enjoy apppearing before Judge Epstein. Pleasant demanor, reads what you give him, reasonable rulings.

Litigant

Comment #: CA36426
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge discriminates against renters and disabled tenants. It's obvious he is not seasoned and abuses his judicial discretion. He also seems to fail to understand the code of civil procedure. He fails to read the papers and makes rulings that violate the code of civil procedure. Don't be afraid to appeal his cases as he needs to be removed from the bench. He is a disgrace to the judicial system. Peremptory challenge him too! Birds of a feather flock together so he must be friends with the Judge who was just disqualified from Brad Pitts and Jolie's case!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35204
Rating:9.9

Comments:
I would like to add that Judge Epstein is a person of unquestionable integrity. In addition, although no one is better versed in the law, he does not allow hyper-technicalities get in the way of a fair result on the merits. Finally, as to intellect, you would assume that of a U.S. Supreme clerk and Munger partner, but even with that, Judge Epstein exceeds expectations.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35202
Rating:9.9

Comments:
Best judge before whom I have ever appeared. Brilliant as well as hard working — quite a combination. I just prevailed on defeating the other side’s summary judgment, but I lost an earlier discovery motion. You get the ruling you deserve. His knowledge of your case is remarkable. Too bad he can’t be cloned and put in every department.

Litigant

Comment #: CA33783
Rating:1.0

Comments:
One of the worst family law judges around. He rules off the cuff with no basis. He makes orders that are not enforceable, intentionally. He does not understand trauma, DV, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and refuses to listen. Someone finally listened, because he's been transferred to Child Support.

Sleazy Attorney Alert: Los Angeles

Los Feliz/Silverlake

[redacted]

My wife and I separated in 2011. We have 2 minor daughters who we co parented until 2017.I volunteered countless hours in their schools. I authorized $125,000 from my retirement account to be distributed to their mother for my daughters care. A new boyfriend, [redacted] then moved into a 1 br 1 ba apartment with them. I got a temporary restraining order against him after reports of abuse by neighbors. Police have been called to the residence [redacted]. [redacted] is complicit in the abuse. To cover all this up, he then fabricated stories about me to create alienation between my daughters and me. And lied to the Court forcing their father out of their lives. There are hundreds of friends and family that will attest to my quality as a father. [redacted] is diagnosed PTSD, and I have experienced his dangerous outbursts. My children are in danger, and ignored by this sleazy attorney. Signed, David Ware

Oh; and the Judge Mark Epstein:

Other
Comment #: CA18770
Rating:3.0
Comments:
One of the worst family law judges around. He rules off the cuff with no basis. He makes orders that are not enforceable, intentionally. He does not understand trauma, DV, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and refuses to listen. Someone finally listened, because he's been transferred to Child Support.Totally destroyed my two minor daughters lives based on a charade. Corrupt attorneys [redacted]

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA31410
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Best judge I have ever appeared before. Brilliant, amazingly well prepared, even handed and open minded, knows the law in great detail, picks up on everything very quickly, not afraid to rule but also listens to arguments. Fantastic writer as well.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA29255
Rating:9.4

Comments:
I've been a civil litigator for over 20 years, and Judge Epstein is head and shoulders above the other judges in the Superior Court. He's a legal savant, with an incredible breadth and depth of knowledge. He's patient with the parties and counsel and diligent in reviewing legal submissions and applying the law. If you draw Judge Epstein, enjoy him while you can. He should be promoted to the Court of Appeal.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA26674
Rating:9.9

Comments:
Sitting in his courtroom listening to hearings was like a class in continuing legal education. The breadth of his knowledge and clarity of his analysis puts him in another class entirely of the other judges. Excellent judicial temperament. Patient, polite, no-nonsense. In over 40 years of practice, he is the most memorable and impressive judge ever. I think negative reviews are from parties who didn't get what they wanted. He didn't rule for me on all the issues either, but his rulings still made sense. I appreciate that.

Litigant

Comment #: CA23598
Rating:1.0

Comments:
this guy runs his courtroom like a circus...cracking jokes in the middle of hearings and overall unprofessional demeanor

Litigant

Comment #: CA20013
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Epstein was a complex litigation attorney so putting him in a family law courtroom makes no sense at all. He is very wishy washy and has no knowledge on DV, parent/child bond, NPD, parental alienation syndrome, etc. It is very unfortunate that childrens lives and futures have been affected by his lack of experience and knowledge. I am glad to hear he was transferred to child support court - enough families have been torn apart by him.

Other

Comment #: CA18770
Rating:3.0

Litigant

Comment #: CA18742
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I don't think he is misogynist nor hates women. I think that it is a very inconsistent comment based on his record. It is quite the opposite. But I do agree that he is very inconsistent (wishy-washy).

In my experience it seems that in order to appear as fair or just he is likely to favor the mother even though there is clear evidence that the mother is not acting in the best interest of the child. He really goes out of his way to tilt the narrative using interpretation of the evidence that can only be described as a logical leap. I truly believe that it is because he really does not have any experience with regard to child mental abuse. He prefers to make decisions that make him look like he is being "fair" to both parents (with some great leniency on the mother side) in order to avoid any accusations of gender bias against a mother. This is done at the cost of the child's well being. He is too inexperienced and highly temperamental to make any other type of decision. He does not understand that being fair to both parents has nothing to do with what is in the best interest of the child. He really needs to start focusing on the obvious that the evidence has presented. Judges before him and on the same floor are able to do it.

Other points of agreement on this thread are the following: he shouts a lot and he doesn't listen. He also does not know family law that well. He also ignores evidence and recommendations by experts mainly because he really does not know how to use the evidence to make the most sound decisions. He has made huge mistakes that have had consequences that he truly cannot fathom and does very little to correct.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA15997
Rating:5.7

Comments:
Judge Epstein tries to be compassionate and act in the best interest of the child; however, he does not appear to understand the complexities of domestic violence, emotional abuse and personality disorders (spefically NPD and other borderline disorders) which is a great detriment to not only victims, but their children. Even with hard evidence, Judge Epstein gives the perpetrator the benefit of the doubt empowering the perp to not only continue, but also increase his abuse without recourse. And of course, if it is a he said/she said abuse matter, Epstein will believe the man endangering her and the children to future abuse. Very sad.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA15996
Rating:5.7

Other

Comment #: CA14988
Rating:2.0

Comments:
He is so wishy washy. One day he's nice with you and the next he's on the other side! He clearly doesn't know what he's doing. He was just appointed two years ago and used to work as a business litigation and corporation attorney. A business and corp attorney has no business being in a family court.

Other

Comment #: CA14987
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Epstein hates women. He is a bully and a misogynistic sexist and horrible human being.
He drags all the divorce cases. He is not familiar with family law and has no compassion toward victims of domestic violence. He laughs at women suffering from abuse and doesn't take the abuse seriously. He used to be a corp attorney and should go back where he belongs.