The Robing Room

Hon. Otis D. Wright, II	See Rating Details
District Judge	See Comments
C.D.Cal.
Average Rating:2.7 - 74 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

Add your own rating

E-Mail Address (will not be displayed)	* *
Confirm E-mail Address	* * *
Zip
Occupation
Add a comment only 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

Please type what you see below:

Not an even number!

What others have said about Hon. Otis D. Wright, II

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 34681
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Should be removed ! Sexist !! Telling my friend to be quiet after asking her questions. Ruling against her when it was a clear case of an abusive ex spouse stealing half of a property they purchased together and he made 250k off of! Not even a FAIR JUDGEMENT for her to get her investment back.
Shameful!!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 34530
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Disappointing and embarassing to have judges like these in federal courts. He is the epitome of the long bygone kings who executed people on a whim. If you dare not to kneel before him and kiss the ground he is walking, your days will be counted. He does not treat attorneys especially women like human, has no sense of fundamental fairness, or compassion and is biased. He has no judicial restraint and his behavior in court is bizarre, compulsive and vindictive. His rulings are infused with improperly vicious commentary and are inconsistent based on his mood on a given day. His courtroom is a minefield and you are doomed if you step the wrong way. I cannot believe, that there is no judicial oversight over these kind of abusive arbitrary and capricious judiciary in one of the most democratic and liberal countries.

Litigant

Comment #: 34444
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I won a Writ of Mandate in CA Superior Court against my employer. Otis Wright threw out my Federal case with no testimony and stated he didn't care what the CA Court had decided. I then heard stories about his baseball bat and he and his broke ass wife filing for bankruptcy when he makes $223,400 a year. My employer subsequently caved and settled with me without a law suit. I blame George Bush for appointing this idiot.

Litigant

Comment #: 34406
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge verbally attacked me my first day in court for asking a question. He told me to sit down and shut up and not to speak until spoken to. I never spoke again. He ruled in my case before I had a chance to present my case which is a violation of my constitutional rights. I went home and filmed a 30 min suicide video because I lost all hope in fairness and justice. He rule in my case while I was on a 5150 hold after I attempted suicide. I could not afford an attorney.

Litigant

Comment #: 33410
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge could be the reason we have such crisis in our country over COVID. He is originally from Alabama. An ex LAPD officer with Western University training shouldn’t be on Federal bunch . He through out our class action lawsuit against cast iron maker in 2013 . Environment toxicity will show as a major contributing factor not only in COVID but in other cases such as Seattle children deaths in six babies. One day country will wake up to realize the deep incompetent legal system we have . Without fair justice system no society will last . History is best evidence.

Litigant

Comment #: 33409
Rating:10.0

Comments:
This is my kind of judge. He's on the ball, and goes out of his way to be fair and he watches out for the little guy.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 33408
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Utterly incompetent judge with the worst judicial temperament I have ever seen. He does not know or understand the law, thus he is completely incapable of applying the law fairly or serving as a useful part of the judicial system. [Redacted by Editor]

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 33351
Rating:9.5

Comments:
Solid judge. Keeps the docket moving. Doesn't waste the parties' time. Often looks for fair results.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 33271
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I have only had limited experience with Judge Wright and it has been favorable. As one commenter wrote, he is not afraid to make the call and get rid of bogus cases. In my case, he tossed a complaint on a motion to dismiss without leave to amend (which was the right call) when several other judges wasted defense counsel's time in allowing the same plaintiff leave to amend, wasting everyone's time. I have another case pending with him now on the same type of issue, so we'll see how he handles it, but sometimes we need judges who will toss BS cases and let the Ninth Circuit sort it out. He saved my client a lot of money by doing so, and helped others out in other identical cases filed by the same plaintiff. FYI, he decided my case on the papers, so I cannot opine on his demeanor.

Litigant

Comment #: 33053
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Pathetic excuse for a federal judge. This guy has a horrible temperament and frequently yells at attorneys and belittles people in his courtroom. He is supposedly the only federal judge in history to have declared bankruptcy, yet he still has civil matters pending before him all the time. I hope the Justice Dept. is keeping an eye on this guy.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 33041
Rating:2.5

Comments:
Extremely rude and arrogant from the bench. Influenced by outsiders on Court business. Utter disregard for CA law in my opinion.

Other

Comment #: 32773
Rating:1.0

Comments:
June 10,2019 was my mothers sentencing they gave her 60 days to turn herself in which was on August 9. During her sentencing he never gave her a hearing. July 31st my mom had motion files to get a hearing from the judge he accepted a hearing on July 31st, which we thought was so nice of him to do and unexpected.. my sister and I cried of happiness. Later on, August 5 he denies the hearing once again. Like I said he is very demented and likes playing with peoples lives. What kind of judge would play such games like that with someones life. So messed up in so many ways .. We were in just complete shock at this point, at what kind of man he is.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 32772
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Otis D. Wright, II is possibly one of the worst judges in this damn world. If you end up with this judge good luck to you because he is really unfair and discriminating. He was so so racist and discriminating to my mom who is an Armenian. He never listening to our hearing and proof and just sentenced her. My moms prosecutor suggested 10 years sentencing to my mom, the judge turned around and said " I think that is too harsh for a woman " right after that we have a 15 minute break. We get back from our break and he literally sentences my mom to 10 years in federal prison This was her very first crime.This judge is very bipolar, all I can say is he doesn't deserve to be a judge. Any comments that you see that he's apparently a good judge is not true and very fake! The bad comments outweighs the 2-4 good ones that I can say are pretty fake comments about him. Honestly good luckkkkk to you if you end up with this judge. He is one demented, maniac, judge. Not even over exaggerating one bit. Word for word on my moms transcript Judge Wright said " Yeah, when you enter 5 (d) it's one of the circles of hell. 5 (d) is his court room btw. He seriously plays games with peoples lives. One demented bipolar man.

Other

Comment #: 32752
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Rude, Belligerent, NOT impartial.
This guy carries a baseball bat round and points it at the attorneys when he addresses them. He is disrespectful to attorneys on ONE side only...mocking them, allowed a witness to commit purgery and did nothing and said he was entitled to 'change his mind'...He is all about performing for the jury.

Other

Comment #: 32744
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Sarcastic mocking of criminal defendant's testimony in case where prosecution was on shaky ground. Allowed peanut gallery to giggle at said defendant's testimony in presence of jury. Mocked defendant's country of origin and its political system. Shocked and unimpressed.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 32643
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Litigated a civil case for a large company before him with high stakes. Ill-prepared and ill-mannered. Illogical rulings. Threatened lawyers, spouted nonsensical remarks and acted in a fashion that was extraordinarily inappropriate, indeed disrespectful to the notion of justice.

Every court appearance included the awful experience of watching other civil and criminal matters being mishandled and parties being berated and mistreated. Biased is an understatement. Terrible judge- worst I have experienced in decades of practice. Something should be done. Must be a way to collectively bring a complaint to the Chief Judge or Ninth Circuit.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 29902
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I had this gentleman as an opposing counsel in 2003, shortly before he was appointed to the federal bench. He was a horrible litigator, just as he is now a horrible Judge. He was disrespectful in every phone conversation we had. Judge Phillips put him in his place in our litigation case due to his lack of scholarship, granting my motions to stay his matter which was a bogus insurance indemnity case brought against an insured that they were currently defending in another matter.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 26671
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is a bully that does not care to follow the law. Threatens attorneys all of the time to get the result he wants. Don't risk your case in front of this judge. Immediately file a declaration of bias and prejudice.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 25236
Rating:8.7

Comments:
Excellent judge. Not afraid to make a difficult decision.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 25172
Rating:1.0

Comments:
It is difficult to imagine a more incompetent judge.

Other

Comment #: 24385
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Attorneys' dislike for this judge is an exact measure of their incompetence.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23930
Rating:1.6

Comments:
This judge jailed a lawyer because he presumed her fee was too high. It was completely outrageous. The lawyer did nothing wrong. Her fee was below average for a contingency case. She negotiated a great deal quickly (which is also worth something). Without her, the client would have gotten way less. This judge presumed a client with a mental disability was incompetent and then presumed the lawyer took advantage when there was no such evidence.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 23314
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Wright is by far the worst judge I have ever encountered in the United States. The guy has his own bizarre internal sense of what the law should be (rather than applying the law as it is) and does not hesitate to deviate from his Constitutional obligations whenever he feels like it. A total disgrace who should find a different line of work. I'm surprised he's only the third-worst rated judge in the United States, rather than the worst-rated one.

Other

Comment #: 23278
Rating:8.0

Comments:
There are a lot of negative comments on this Judge. I think most people who write will be doing so due to their negative feelings. I cannot speak to their cases and they may have real grievances. However, in the long standing case I have worked on before Judge Wright, he has been honest and has had solid integrity. I also watch the other cases before him and I feel he is fair. He is thoughtful and aims for justice. I wish more judges had his approach and his integrity.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22853
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge turned a Status Conference into putting Plaintiff's counsel on trial for collecting proper fees. He offered no guidelines on what he thought appropriate fees should be but simply called fees exploitive. He jailed me for not divulging attorney/client privilege information, and he stood, clapped and laughed when I was forcefully taken into custody. He can not do simple arithmetic and has no comprehension of what Plaintiff's attorneys do and he does not care. He is pure evil, with a soft spot for government attys and the current DA (prior collegues). My post in March/ April 2015 was removed for some reason.
But there should be a way to pierce judicial immunity because of this judge. Do yourself a favor, if you draw this judge, dismiss the case and re-file in State court.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 22852
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Worst judge imaginable! He openly and gleefully sided with the City of Los Angeles against our client, instructing the city attorney to bring a dispositive motion so he could throw our case out. Lacking in knowledge, courteousness or judicial temperament, it's hard to imagine a worse judge to draw for a civil rights case. My client and the federal bench both deserve better than this nightmare jurist.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22611
Rating:2.2

Comments:
Dismissed my case on faulty time line for 3 year status of limitation on product liability.

Other

Comment #: 21996
Rating:10.0

Comments:
There are a lot of bad comments about Judge Wright. Seeing him in action I have to say that he is a very real and caring person. He weighs both sides, is detailed in his descriptions and takes his job seriously. I have seen him give very fair sentences to many criminal defendants. He is very quick witted and doesn't play around with non sense in his courtroom. If you do he will shut you down. I think some people take that the wrong way. He is big on recovery and takes time out of his busy schedule to work with others with addiction problems. I find Judge Wright refreshing and a blessing to our Justice system.

Other

Comment #: 21806
Rating:5.0

Comments:
The defendant is facing twenty years to life, the trial was handled with inappropriate humor between judge and jury. At one point,the judge had his baseball bat out from behind bench, in sidebar with defense attorneys. His clerk removed it turned to the public and said, "I should use this on him." and nodded to the judge. I can only hope that the sentence is right for him making light of this case.

Other

Comment #: 21803
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Wright bullied the defendants' counsel, no retrain in exhibiting his blatant bias towards the prosecution, paraded around the courtroom waving a baseball bat , pushing said bat into his crotch while facing defendants female counsel, acting if he was about to strike the lawyers with it all outside the presents of a jury, referred to the people of California as "morons",said marijuana defendants should be slapped around for a bit before being forced into a boot camp until they would no longer break the law. Denied the defendants any witnesses, basically rigging the whole thing. The gallery was stunned to say the least. Kleinman case.

Other

Comment #: 21800
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge seems to think he is god like. He rules is courtroom like it is his own little country. He belittles both prosecutors and defendants as well as anyone else that might enter his courtroom. THIS MAN NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BENCH...HE IS A BIASED JUDGE.

Other

Comment #: 21686
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He seemed to have made up his mind before trail and badgered the other side counstantly. Very impaitant and unorganized.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 20673
Rating:2.3

Comments:
Obnoxious. Irascible. Obstreperous. No such thing as a fair hearing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19169
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I love the comment posted by #: 18438. Does a judge have the authority to grant summary judgment before the matter is briefed, and months before the hearing date, solely to force a settlement? That's what the wonderful Judge Wright did in my case.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18704
Rating:3.0

Comments:
Judge Wright took almost six months to rule on a motion for attorney's fees. When he botched the motion, and I requested oral argument, he made me wait months before I was permitted to argue the matter. When I finally was permitted to address the court, he was livid at me for having requested oral argument. He was absolutely unprofessional in his handling of the matter.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18678
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am filing a request for an Impeachment investigation the the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith and also with my local congressman. I am bringing charges I can prove that Judge Wright violated:
4th Amendment 3 times
5th Amendment 3 times
14th Amendment 3 times
Fed Rule 362 3 times
at least 9 violations of California property law
9 violations of Federal property law.

[Redacted by Ed.]

If you can PROVE Judge Wright broke the law or violated the Constitution in YOUR case, please feel free to contact me and join in my petition.
PLEASE be able to PROVE your claim.
I will be filing with Congressman Smith in the next 2 weeks.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18438
Rating:9.4

Comments:
The bottom line is that Judge Wright has no patience for incompetent attorneys. We need more judges like this. Unlike so many others in the federal judiciary, Wright is not afraid to dismiss cases that are wholly unwarranted, or grant summary judgment where it is obvious that there is no reason to go further in litigation. Those lawyers who actually practice like they've passed the bar and argue their cases clearly and concisely will find no problem with Judge Wright. As a whole, our judicial system would be much more fair and efficient with more judges like this on the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18426
Rating:2.8

Comments:
This judge was to review a federal IDEA matter de novo a few years ago, analyze the facts and law, and issue his order. Sadly, his order was a page and a half of statements that the administrative hearing officer was right and we were wrong. No analysis, no legal support or facts supporting the conclusion. Very sad, and a disservice to my disabled client.

Other

Comment #: 18278
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have to disagree with commentor #18154. Even with all the mitigation in the world, a beneficial probation reccomendation, and 'proper' arguments being made, Judge Wright has made up his mind before your sentencing memorandum is even filed. I doubt he even spends more than 5minutes looking over sentencing position papers for most defendants. Clients with drug conspiracy cases will get hit the hardest as Judge Wright feels its his civic duty to be extremely harsh on drug defendants and makes it known that all the drug problems of individuals in society are defendants fault from their instant offense. I'm not aware of individuals making racist comments to the judge, but I will say that he shows EXTREME beneficial prejudice to attorneys who are African-American. Similarly situated co-defendants with African American attorneys will get a better outcome on the same criminal indictment. I've seen it numerous times. Do yourself a favor an take note of what when deciding who will represent you, it may be the only chance you have at getting a fair day in court.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18156
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
It is very difficult if your indigent and pro se in a civil case to get justice in this court. This court prefers everything in written arguments. Decisions are made without oral arguments heard. Not being an attorney and not understanding how to present written arguments with all of the legal research creates a huge disadvantage for a defense. Sometimes bad things happen to good people which are caused by a third party. People can be forced to make decisions out of protection for their family. In my case there was extortion, blackmail, money laundering and threat of murder from a third party that has never been brought into court and the government has the evidence of. Now the government is racing toward a summary judgement without a defense heard. It appears that justice is only for the rich.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 18154
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I am damn sick and tired of these cowardly and racists criminal defense lawyers who care very little about their clients taking undeserved low blows at black judges. If you work hard and make proper arguments your clients will get justice from his court.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 18008
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This man has no idea how to be a judge; he does not read briefs to learn the facts or the law, and he is lazy, incompetent, arrogant, and rude. What an embarrassment to the federal judicial system. Judge Wright takes so much away from the hard work of his colleagues on the bench who try hard to fairly and impartially apply law to fact. Judge Wright is just not competent. He is one of the few judges who prosecutors and defense lawyers agree is terrible, which says a great deal about the qualifications of this man to be a federal judge. When both the winners and losers of a case think the judge is horrible, clearly there is a problem.

Other

Comment #: 13814
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The Judge has no problem finding for the government, and is especially keene to find no wrong doing on the part of his former employer the LA Sheriff's office. If he even reads the pleadings, it is clear he has no understading of the law or equity in making decisions. His lack of civilty to those who practice before the bar is rather like the treatment Hispanics receive from members of his race working for the LA County Sheriff. This man needs to retire before more damage is done to the traditional notions of justice and fair play.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13774
Rating:1.0

Comments:
RUN from this judge. Seriously, run. Stupid, incompetent, AND rude. The trifecta.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13745
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Wright is a draconian Gorilla. He fails to appreciate the time and effort put in by attorney in preparing and presenting their cases, he fails to deliver on a timely basis his rulings, he depends on his staff to prepare his rulings thereby flip flopping from competent to incompetent.

Other

Comment #: 13727
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Supreme Court Case Law also states that when a judge acts as a trespasser of the law, when a judge does not follow the law, he/she then loses subject matter jurisdiction and the Judges orders are void of no legal force or affect.

Other

Comment #: 13641
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Quit your griping and file a Judicial Misconduct like I did. There is a process. I also filed with John Boehner for a complete Impeachment and Criminal investigation.
DOCUMENT YOUR COMPLAINT THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS. Don't just gripe..DO SOMETHING!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13629
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Wright forced plaintiff with MS into settling a case for nothing by denying plaintiff's motion for summary judgment, sua sponte, before the hearing date, and even before an opposition was filed. Due process?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12904
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Terrible abuse of power. Where did all the great judges go? I remember when the judges would actually read the pleadings/motions and make well reasoned decisions? I have lost all faith in the judicial system I use to love so much. Steer clear of Judge Wright.

Litigant

Comment #: 12901
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am filing a Complaint with the DOJ and the 9th circuit. I see a lot of comments here. Would any of you care to join me?
I have evidenciary documented proof of Federal and State Law violations as well as multiple violations of Civil Rights

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11762
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Truly one of the absolute worst judges in the district, and possible the nation. He should never have been appointed. It is absolutely clear he does not both to read the pleadings, does not bother to address cited precedent, and is just generally clueless.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11557
Rating:4.8

Comments:
I was concerned when Judge Wright was assigned, because of these comments. On one series of motions, he was mercurial. The next set of motions, he issued a very well thought out and reasoned opinion. I was pleasantly and favorably impressed. He was not afraid to make a decision.

Other

Comment #: 10272
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Since Judge Wright bases his decisions on personal bias, rumors and heresy - I judge that I can do the same. Judge Wright does not seem to know the law and he tries to control/intimidate the defendant and their counsel. He rude and does not have any "people skills". he takes much joy in "pontificating" from his ivory castle. Judge Wright is a sham and should step down from the bench. It is one thing to be tough, as long as you are fair, but Judge Wright does not know the meaning of fairness.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 10176
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Judge Wright's reputation as not-so-bright and reflexively pro-business precede him. During an early mediation I was taunted by my Big Firm opponent who claimed he couldn't lose with this judge regardless of the merits. And the mediator agreed. Sadly, they were correct. It hurts the integrity of the judicial system when some judges are known to be "in the tank" for one side or the other.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 10163
Rating:1.6

Comments:
What lunacy looks like when it reaches the federal bench. Pure authoritarian persona. Likes to threaten witnesses or lawyers he dislikes with contempt or prison. Incredibly dumb. Discounts opinions from any other federal court as irrelevant. A general yes man for the government; loves being harsh on defendants; tries to control/intimidate opposing counsel. Another hybrid W./Feinstein Frankenstein GOP "affirmative action" appointee gone nuts on the CDCA (see Dale Fischer & Percy Anderson for others). Had no intellectual background or temperment to be a federal Judge.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 9855
Rating:8.0

Comments:
Based on the other comments I'm unsure whether this was an anomaly or not, but yesterday I observed what appeared to be a very important criminal matter in front of Judge Wright. There were over 15 motions in limine and, contrary to what most other Judges do, Judge Wright actually read into the record reasoned opinions on ALL pending motions. Refreshing to say the least.

Other

Comment #: 9682
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge says one thing yet does another. He does not appear to know the law and if he does, he doesn't apply it. Does he not know tat he is messing with people's lives? He should do the world a favor and step down.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9417
Rating:2.8

Comments:
Judge Wright, a jurist largely devoid of judicial, or "people" skills, is an equal opportunity abuser. Routinely arrogant and abrasive, he pontificates down at the lawyers unfortunate enough to have to appear before him. He rules with an iron fist, and a tin-foil mind. He has demonstrated beyond doubt that that he has a short fuse, a hair-trigger, and poor marksmanship (because he rarely manages to hit the right target) with his slings and arrows. What he does hit, however, he hits hard and hits mercilessly! He appears to delight in making lawyers come in for motion "hearings," which are nothing more than a 45 second diatribe by a jduge who clearly has not read the papers or done his homework. If Charles Dickens were still alive and writing today, he would be hard-pressed not to create a judge-character based upon this bench-warmer. I also have no doubt that his % of cases reaching trial is very low, caused by parties who have either precipitously been thrown out of Court during motion practice, or by parties settling in a last-ditch effort to avoid the caprice, uncertainties, vagaries, and whims which a trial with Otis presiding portends. There should be a flashing red neon sign above his Courtroom door that warns lawyers, in Dantean terms: "All hope abandon ye who enter here."

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9162
Rating:1.8

Comments:
Wow. I have never seen a more dysfunctional bench. Very rude, arrogant, tempermental, yada...

Litigant

Comment #: 7700
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He was appointed by GWB. Need we say more?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6814
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Comments number 6528 and 6496 were obviously written by Judge Wright's law clerks. There is no merit to either comment.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6528
Rating:7.0

Comments:
Judge Wright may come across as rude and a little arrogant - however, he is very even-handed on the bench. Both sides had numerous opportunities to argue their points. And for those who say he already has his mind made up, what judge doesn't? It's called a tentative and it's your job as a lawyer to persuade him otherwise (assuming, of course, you couldn't already do it in your papers). Overall, a good judge. He has some learning to do but that will come with more experience. His temper could use some work. However, considering the district in which he sits, I think he's off to a good start.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6496
Rating:8.7

Comments:
Perhaps one of the fairest judges in the Central District. His demeanor may seem a little harsh, but I attribute that to poor lawyering tactics and games more than anything else. Though my client did not prevail on one of Judge Wright's orders, I felt the opinion addressed all necessary legal authority.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6404
Rating:1.7

Comments:
A really bad judge. He doesn't get it - he figures he has a life appointment now and he has it made. Doesn't think critically and doesn't try to think critically. At one oral argument in front of him he asked ridiculous questions and flip-flopped three times based on who was the last lawyer to speak - and I actually won the argument. One of the worst judges I have been in front of. The power of being able to do whatever he wants has gone to his head if you ask me. I feel bad for his clerks - who probably have more understanding of the issues than he does. If you are looking for a judge in order to pull the wool over his eyes, you've found him.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 6396
Rating:1.2

Comments:
Judge Wright's name is a misnomer. A more apt monicker would be "Judge Wrong." I argued a fairly interesting summary judgment motion opposition drafted by a partner. The judge was shockingly ill-prepared, obviously had made up his mind and had no interest in listening to argument. In fact, I found myself arguing to his law clerks who at least appeared interested in the oral argument. The only consolation was that the judge kept calling me by my (absent) partner's name, so my good name is not sullied by that record! And as the other counsel have observed, Judge Wright compensates for his lack of legal acumen and inexperience (he had only been a municipal court judge for one year when inexplicably elevated to the federal bench) by being impatient, imperious and downright rude. Worst judge I have seen in 25 years, and most of that time has been in the Central District of CA, so I have seen some pretty awful judges (along with some very good ones). Without a doubt, inside of a couple more years, Judge Wright will race right to the top of the worst. Mark my words.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6266
Rating:1.3

Comments:
I agree with the other comments. This judge is rude, imperious, intellectually lazy, and, frankly, very stupid. The upside is that his opinions are so poorly reasoned that reversing him will not be as difficult as with other judges.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6069
Rating:1.4

Comments:
I agree: "Not learned in the law and arrogant, this preener thinks he is the best, when in fact he is the worst." He likes superficial, simplistic reasoning to reach a result. He does not seem to be capable of resolving complex issues. He apparently has never seen a lawsuit with any merit. This may have something to do with the fact that his entire career consisted of defending businesses, mainly insurance companies. I am sure that that his former clients had nothing to do with his appointment to the bench. I am equally sure that this judge's decisions are not biased in favor of their interests.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 5960
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Not learned in the law and arrogant, this preener thinks he is the best, when in fact he is the worst.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 4724
Rating:6.0

Comments:
In civil rights court trial judge made statements and rulings evidencing misunderstanding of basic law relating to police misconduct. Does seem to try to be evenhanded. Misses nuances of evidence; tends to rely on concrete and superficial analysis of evidence.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 4614
Rating:2.4

Comments:
Judge Wright is generally ill prepared and probably the worst federal judge I have ever argued a motion before. He was imperious, arbitrary, asked off-the-wall questions and just didn't get it. Judge Wright has only been on the bench for six months, and already has one of the worst judicial temperaments on a bench (CDCA) known for its discourteous judges; avoid him at all cost.

Add your own rating

Ratings

What others have said about Hon. Otis D. Wright, II

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Civil Litigation - Private

Litigant

Litigant

Litigant

Litigant

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Litigant

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Other

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Other

Other

Other

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Litigant

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Litigant

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer