"The Robing Room: WA State Judges

Hon. Catherine D. Shaffer	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
King County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.9 - 22 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 11 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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

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What others have said about Hon. Catherine D. Shaffer

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA2231
Rating:1.6

Comments:
82556-9-1 appeals decision
I'm a boat detailer asking for a dissolution of a 14.5 yr CIR that began when one of us was married. I lived as an indentured servant with affection tossed in to keep me going.
This judge threw out 14 witness testimonies, claimed "No CIR has ever been assessed while one party is still married.

I've seen/read the cases (about 4 published) where a CIR begins after a marriage is" defunct"

My witnesses ranged from friends, neighbors, her father, industry leaders.. All dismissed "They all tell too similar a story, no context. I'm not allowing them."

A summary Judgement was tossed at me and even with all the best Case of first impression evidence, I lost.

I appealed Pro Se and won. A Boat Detailer had a 3 Judge panel agree that she's an idiot with regard to her position or her duty to wear the robe. [redacted by Ed.]

I'm broke now, 3 years later but still trying to get my case to trial.
Anyone willing to structure a payment plan that takes effect after I win?
2 homes and a business, Hopelessly commingled funds from day one till the end..

Prosecutor

Comment #: WA2228
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Irrational, unfair, closed-minded and ornery. She lacks the most rudimentary elements of necessary judicial temperament.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA2211
Rating:1.6

Comments:
I have been practicing since 1991 and remember when Judge Shaffer was appointed. The women attorneys I knew were thrilled. I had many matters before her over the years, and I thought she was average. I was not before her for a decade or do until two years ago. In the last two years, I have had 2 plaintiff's defamation cases before her. The only word to describe her conduct in those cases is irrational. I can honestly say that in 32 years, I have not seen anything like it. She scares me. Let me put it this way. She just awarded Perkins Coie $23,000 of fees for an undisputed discovery motion. She awarded $610 an hour for a second year attorney. I would seek reconsideration, but that would be rejected and cost another $20,000. I will affidavit her every time.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA2130
Rating:2.4

Comments:
Hard to work with. Not open to chaning her mind even if presented with compelling circumstances. Acts unreasonably.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: WA1994
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I heard of a ridiculous order entered by Shaffer. This woman refused to dismiss a baseless claim, but required the defendant to prove her innocence at trial!

Shaffer has been playing laws, like a joke!

Shaffer should be removed from the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: WA1955
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Shaffer makes off the cuff decisions that are not based on law. Very biased and does not read or listen to the facts very well. She should not be wearing the robe.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA1891
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is a joke.

If you are unfortunate here, prepare to immediately appeal WHATEVER (including interlocutory) decisions she makes, don't wait until you lose at trial.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA1850
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is biased, makes arbitrary decision. If you are unfortunately here, prepare for the appeal!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: WA1845
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is simply a joke!
she does not respect laws>
Once entering her room, you are subject to "Shaffer Law"!!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA1782
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is shockingly unprofessional, needlessly rude, dismissive, arrogant, obnoxious and oddly cruel. She abuses her platform to attack human beings to their core in ways that will someday lead a defendant to suicide, such is the level of shame and humiliation she actively enjoys brandishing in her courtroom. She’s a sick woman. It’s not ok and she needs to be exposed for what she does, investigated and removed.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA1682
Rating:1.9

Comments:
No judicial temperament. History of rulings abandoned or reversed by other judge upon reassignment. Everyone in our firm affidavits this judge.

Other

Comment #: WA1664
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Unreasonable and rigid. Poor example of how a judge should conduct themselves.

Other

Comment #: WA1573
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This Judge does not care about the mentally ill. She said to my partner, that she will make us suffer. She didn't let him have mental health Court and shocked not only defense, but protection as well.
When it came to the case on Mae the raccoon, this women is heartless. She doesn't care about anyone and shows bias.

Other

Comment #: WA1557
Rating:1.0

Comments:
From the standpoint of a juror, she is a terrible, heartless judge. Has no care or concern for King county citizens who may end up homeless due to missing one day of work for jury duty. She does not care.

Other

Comment #: WA1484
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Her decision enabling people to camp in their cars is beyond belief.
Her job is to apply the law not make it up.
Judicial activism at its worst, one can only hope that she suffers the consequences and has a broken down camper parked in front of her house.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: WA1417
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Terrible, bias judge.

Litigant

Comment #: WA1416
Rating:1.0

Comments:
BIASED, BANK-LOVER

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA1347
Rating:2.0

Comments:
She makes puzzling rulings in civil cases. She does not seem qualified.

Other

Comment #: WA1308
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is so blatantly biased and must be stopped....

Other

Comment #: WA820
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A recent appellate case overturned Judge Shaffer's egregious sentencing due to the obvious racist and sexist bias as exemplified by the courts opinion. The woman is clearly not attune to the climate in this country and should not be a sitting Judge.

Other

Comment #: WA797
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Watching her in court many many years ago with a child abuse case, the father presented hard evidence against the mother in the form of CPS & police reports along with medical records to show that the child had been in a constant state of abuse and neglect yet we were stunned as we watched her throw out the case on the premise of "bad parenting". I hope she has a hard time sleeping at night over this one just knowing she is the reason why a child out there is being continuously abused and neglected. To this day I worry about that child and if the father was ever able to save him.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: WA702
Rating:3.6

Comments:
She is truly another example of a judge in over her head. The need to avoid complex matters and to simply process data is about all that this judge is capable of. When a judge is appointed, they should serve a minimum term, step down, and then run for the position after a year's sabbatical to learn the law again.

All of the comments here are quite accurate.

Other

Comment #: WA681
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is rude, biased, unprofessional, arrogant, etc.

Other

Comment #: WA389
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The judge is biased, lacks objectivity, and accountability to public. She has no respect or consideration for public safety. A couple of burglars attempted to enter our home while my wife was at home and police caught the with the bar they broke our window. Judge let them go because my wife did not see the burglar's hand while they were breaking the window even though my wife heard and saw both burglars breaking our window. My advice to burglars wear gloves that are different than your skin color before breaking into a home, if you get caught arrange to be tried by judge Shaffer thru an attorney. I will guarantee that you will be acquitted. What a stellar distribution of American Justice, God Bless Criminal's rights, Heck with the victims.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA371
Rating:1.1

Comments:
Should be removed from the bench. Have not seen as poor a judge in 40 years of trial practice. Unable or unwilling to apply basic legal principles.

Other

Comment #: WA312
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one to find this woman off her rocker. Normally I don't take the time to write a review but this woman is so far off that I will make every attempt to see that she is not re-elected. She abuses her power, she sues people when she's in the wrong and blatantly abuses her power, threatening innocent people with the fact that she is a judge. WE ELECT YOU, get real! If wasn't in the middle of a case with her I would go into more detail but I will definitely expose this woman when the case is settled. She chased me down a hallway threatening me with felony charges because I politely told her I could not speak with her directly. I don't see how she can charge me with a felony when she doesn't even know who I am! She embarrassed me and herself in front of security guards and other court officials. I was simply there representing myself. She has a few screws loose for sure. Avoid this woman at all costs.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA87
Rating:2.8

Comments:
She does not understand, or refuses to understand, basic legal concepts. She does not read briefing materials closely. She is biased in a way that is very puzzling. Stubborn, arrogant, inflexible.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: WA80
Rating:2.3

Comments:
My client left court knowing that this judge was biased against him, and by association his attorney. I have never seen such raving bias and animosity toward a defendant and defense counsel. Shocking. Unprofessional. Small.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA58
Rating:4.3

Comments:
Offensive personality - makes up her mind quickly and it cannot be changed. Does not listen.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA26
Rating:8.5

Comments:
Judge Shaffer is a very good judge who will get better with more experience.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA5
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Judge Shaffer is an outstanding judge for civil litigation. She was very well prepared, had read the materials and the cases and was very even-handed. She is also very active in access to justice issues. An outstanding trial judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA2
Rating:9.1

Comments:
Catherine Shaffer is an excellent judge for civil litigation. She is always prepared for motions, reads everything and makes clear and evenhanded decisions. She is not afraid to grant summary judgment, and she will award terms when appropriate.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: WA1
Rating:3.6

Comments:
I found Judge Shaffer to be unreasonable, arrogant and biased.