"The Robing Room: AZ State Judges

Hon. Katherine Cooper	See Rating Details
Superior Court Judge Superior Court
Maricopa County	See Comments
Phoenix
Attorney Average Rating: 2.2 - 13 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 21 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. Katherine Cooper

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: AZ2878
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge needs to go she continues to harm children while on the family court bench and the amount of injuries sustained by children in Maricopa County is truly astounding. This judge favors fathers were drug addicts, and she does not understand remotely or care to remotely protect the welfare of children, I cannot think of a worse combination somebody in a position of power protect children who literally does the complete opposite. If you’re curious about judge the article she was living with a registered sex offender who was wanted out of New York [Redacted by Ed.]. Maricopa County needs a revamp of judges. If you are a father and you’re a drug addict and you have psychological issues and you were a perpetrator of domestic violence and you end up as a parent in a family court matter before this judge well you haven’t made the shade if you were the protective mother, you will be losing and your child will be harmed Just judge hates women and even more so she hates mothers and by extension her rulings show that she hates children and will do nothing to protect them.
[Redacted by Ed.].

Litigant

Comment #: AZ2616
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was a defendant in a sexual harassment case where the plaintiff was definitely not sexually harassed. Jude Cooper refused to evaluate my motion for summary judgment, and at every turn ruled against me. At trial my objections were not considered and witness not allowed to testify. Couldn't be a worse judge.

Other

Comment #: AZ2430
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Based her overall conclusion of my case over politics. My ex mentioned that I made fun of Trump and her tone of voice immediately changed towards me. She even wrote that I just wanted $$ when my main wish was to get full custody since I knew my ex was using drugs at that time and she wouldn’t order any testing. She said I was bitter and ordered him to pay me $180 which he pays once in a while. And on his paperwork she wrote that he gets to be the final decision maker of my son who I have 5 nights and days a week. She is horrible

Other

Comment #: AZ2395
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Cooper was stellar. Being only a witness in a complicated civil matter played out in front of a Jury, I was not really involved too deeply, but later, in reading through her Ruling, I was impressed by her insight and thoroughness.
VERY well thought through, explained and she had even noted nuances that she had cleverly caught - it was actually a pleasure to read...
The creep went down.
And went down hard ??
Unanimous Jury verdict and wonderful Judge.
Win, win situation.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ2384
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Knows nothing about construction, CC&R's or protecting property owners.

Other

Comment #: AZ2282
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Complete lack of regard for the Arizona constitution, if not gross incompetence.

Other

Comment #: AZ2278
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
SHE NEEDS AN ETHICS EVALUATION-

Other

Comment #: AZ2276
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
She trampled on the Constitution.
No justice in this "judge".

Other

Comment #: AZ2275
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Who got to this lower than a budget basement sale judge in Maricopa. Unconstitutional??? The mask mandate has been UNCONSTITUTIONAL since it began. Yet you called the not enforcing unconstitutional? You are clueless. You folded. We will find the reason.

Other

Comment #: AZ2165
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Appalling. Legally, the Court Proceedings are open to the public so that there is transparency. Yet, while conducting a hearing about a very important case, the other Court Watchers and I were barred from access: disallowed to attend physically (because of COVID restrictions) and instructed to attend via phone, but then not permitted to hear any of the proceedings at all. [Redacted by Ed.]

Other

Comment #: AZ2164
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Several Court Watchers for a high profile case were not let into the hearing via telephonic bridge line. Via telephone is the only way Court Watchers have access to open courts in AZ due to COVID restrictions. Defendant told Judge Cooper on the record that Court Watchers could not get thru. Judge verified phone number and code after defendant asked her to do so. Judge Cooper continued the hearing knowing AZ has open courts and despite Court Watchers were not given access to the hearing. To abide by public's constitutional rights, Judge Cooper should have taken responsibility, recessed to fix the technical problem (IF there was tech trouble) and resumed court. Instead she chose to ignore the constitutional rights of the people and proceeded on with the hearing. It is her courtroom and the fault lies with her in violating constitutional rights. #notdisinformation

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: AZ1971
Rating:1.0

Comments:
As Judge, Cooper let a sexual predator of children go free without even a psych evaluation or an entry on the sex offender list.

But then, she also lives with a convicted sex offender. So there's that.

Other

Comment #: AZ1937
Rating:1.0

Comments:
doesn't even read the documents presented by lawyers. gives visitation to clearly incompetent parents who cause physical and mental harm to their children

Other

Comment #: AZ1933
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
0

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ1923
Rating:1.4

Comments:
So glad she is out of the family court! But the damage had been done. Children forced to live with drug abusing father proven by her order for testing. Disregard of all evidence. Her opinion is what matters. She has a history of bad judgement not just in the court. In 2015 she had a live in boyfriend on parole for sex crime. She stated she didn't know. Hummm. His attorney - her best friend from law school. Perhaps she needs counseling and education for her misdeeds like she orders in her court. If you've ever been hurt by her opinionated orders, please don't keep quiet. Call or send your information to the presiding judge of court administrator. This is the only way to get her off the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1908
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Horrible Katherine Cooper. Was very biased. When my child's mother acted like she wanted to fake cry she ate it up despite the incriminating text messages and disobeying court orders. It was a straight sisterhood after that.

Other

Comment #: AZ1903
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Honorable, that is a word that does NOT describe Katherine Cooper. I wish we had come across this site before litigation started. She was biased from day 1! She did not pay any attention to the court appointed advocate's report. She only paid attention to the opposing counsel. I believe every objection our lawyer made was over-ruled. This is a travesty. My grandson is now in the hands of a very unstable addict. I used to believe in justice but am now very disillusioned. Every single request of opposing counsel was granted. We had evidence of the instability but it was ignored. Domestic violence ignored!!! Really? She is a disgrace!!!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: AZ1865
Rating:3.3

Comments:
Not a reasonably or fare judge at all. She doesn’t let you present evidence for your side of the case and when she finally makes a ruling you shake your because you know how prejudiced she was with your case and you just got shafted.

Other

Comment #: AZ1817
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
After 15 years of being in front of judges that were involved in the multiple attempts of my ex-wife trying to manipulate and control things, this judge really did an outstanding job to do what was right for my children. I just wish it would have happened a lot sooner for my children’s and my sake. Judge Cooper is a strong and very competent judge.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: AZ1799
Rating:1.5

Comments:
I use to think judged were ALL fair and listened to the
statements and payed attention to documentation. What a joke! Moreover, the joke was on me because i met Kay Cooper. She writes her own rules and doesn't pay attention to the statements or documentation. She have me a new understanding of judges. She gave me an education on JUDGES!. I WROTE LETTER AFTER LETTER TO THOSE GOVERNING HER OFFICE AND THOSE THAT BACKED HER, I INCLUDED EVIDENCE AND STATEMENTS. NOBODY CARED! I WAS LEFT ASSUMING THAT ALL JUDGES WERE THE SAME!

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1797
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Does not consider what is written in the order. Does not mandate or enforce revealing to the court and to the other parent the physical location or address of minor child nor contact info when the other party moves and relocated without approval of the court or other parent... he does not have sole custody

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ1757
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Cooper is an absolute embarrassment to the judicial bench. She does not preside over a case as a neutral arbiter protecting the rule of law. She has presupposed OPINIONS based on a personal bias from who knows where. Judge Cooper is exactly the opposite of a fair and unbiased judge. Her court is based solely on her ego to advance being in charge of what she perceives to be her own personal fiefdom.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1703
Rating:1.0

Comments:
If I could give anything lower than a 1 rating, she would have it. She knows NOTHING about children, and she’s even admitted that in the courtroom. She takes the Father’s side, and only his side, reguardless of any evidence that she is given. She bases her ruling not off of facts, but her own personal opinion. She has given the majority of the custody to my daughters dad, and will not even listen to my side. My daughter is 7 and she is the only one suffering. Cooper IS NEVER IN THE BEST INTETEST OF THE CHILD! Beware if you are assigned to her. Change judges before she makes a ruling. You will be sorry once you get stuck with her.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1691
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Cooper did not want to hear anything my attorney or myself had to say. Police report? Nope. DPS report? Doesn't matter. Yet she heard everything my ex husband that has MULTIPLE DUI's had to say. If you are reading this and Judge Cooper is your judge...RUN! She is definitely a one sided judge and not a fair one either. She is the worst!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: AZ1677
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is the worst and should not be on the bench. She does not follow the law but favors which ever attorney she likes best. She should not be a judge

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1669
Rating:1.0

Comments:
My case was a simple enforcement case of child support and medical reimbursement. My attorney sited case law which backed up our position. He and his attorney has no law to back them up, only conjecture as to my reason for coming after him and lies which we backed up in a Motion to Reconsider. She was so biased towards my ex-husband, she was rude to my lawyer. She even allowed confidential emails that his attorney submitted. She did not cite case law, she did not research at all, saying my ex never missed a payment, which was incorrect, taking his word and not even looking at the exhibit. She was asked for a current accounting of child support which she never asked for. She basically called me a liar about a demand letter I testified to sending but since I didn't have it basically said I never sent it But he has no evidence for anything and took his word for everything. She denied me the back child support even though the law was in my favor. She did award me the medical but no interest only because there was not way out of it but told him how to set aside or modify the judgment. She awarded him attorney fees without looking at our incomes - he makes $20 an hour more than me. She told his side what date to file their China Doll affidavit but not me I wish we had looked her up and asked for a different judge. She is horrible and if you get her ask for a new judge. I am going to file a complaint with the bar and review board and also do what I can when she is up for reelection. She needs to be off the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1624
Rating:1.0

Comments:
In court because my ex-wife was going to marry a person she KNEW was a violent person and a drunk (her own admission. The guy just got out of jail for domestic abuse that he pled guilty to). Judge Cooper REFUSED to rule on 2 counts in my case. She actually declined to rule on things. My ex brought us to court because she could not be reasonable and wanted to have full custody. She was the one who forced us to go to court. Then Cooper said that she doesn't believe that this needed to go to a court room. She refused to award me attorney fees (my lawyer thought it was a slam dunk to get court and attorney fees). SHE CANNOT BE FAIR!!!!!

Other

Comment #: AZ1595
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Cooper is the worst judge. She does not read motions. If Judge Kay Cooper is assigned to your case. ask your lawyer to change judges. IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO DO SO,

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ1572
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Bias towards offenders and those with domestic violence history that are men

Other

Comment #: AZ1568
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She needs to be pulled off bench right now.

Court Staff

Comment #: AZ1563
Rating:1.0

Comments:
SHE CANNOT BE FAIR!

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1538
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Cooper was fair, reasonable, and capable of weighing facts/evidence over allegations/personal statements. She was phenomenal in her ability to maintain control over her Courtroom and uphold the law. She was not swayed by random accusations and kept her decision making based off of the evidence presented. 10/10 would take her as a judge any day of the week.

I suppose the other comments are from scorned litigants who attempted to railroad their ex and Judge Cooper was not having it. If you are a person who wants a judge to rule based on law and evidence then keep this judge. If you are a parent who wants to blindly accuse another parent of something without evidence then you're going to have a bad day.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1484
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Severe warning! Despite the exhibits entered, the opposing attorney takes your exhibit and purposely says the opposite of what the email states, judge Cooper fails to acknowledge when you correct and does not read the evidence herself. She writes in her report what the opposing attorney stated! She does not read! Plus she does not read or care about the parent coordinator's report and only rules in who has the most money and title. Child support---forget it. Even though she found me to be fit for one child and my ex husband to have the other child, she makes me pay child support. He earns 7x my salary and I have to pay for visitations to see child living with him. She makes up her own numbers. Plus despite appeals ruling to retrial she postponed another 8 months! Bad judge. Would not wish her on anyone. No justice for women. anti-woman judge

Other

Comment #: AZ1402
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is not fair. She ruled in every case for my husband, even though he lied on the stand. She has no concept on what it is like to be married for a long time and end up with nothing, thanks to her. She believed the hypothetical evidence and now I am left with nothing. She was sweet with his attorney and gave my attorney not the time of day! She came into court without even reading my attorneys response. She ruined my life! If you are a woman...look out! She favors the male, who is most of the time the bread winner, leaving the wife and mother with nothing!

Other

Comment #: AZ1378
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Cooper has proven over and over again that she does not read any of the facts or evidence. She truly just shoots from the hip and has no basis for her rulings. She really needs to be removed from the bench. She is horribly disrespectful and degrading to the parties in the courtroom. REMOVE HER, SHE IS RUINING LIVES. I will be filing a complaint.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1342
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Dishonorable Katherine Cooper does not base her rulings on facts. She abuses her power and will punish you if she finds one thing she does not like about you.

Similar to another post, I will also be sending a complaint to the Arizona Commission of Judicial Conduct. Beware if she will be calculating child support on your case. She does not follow the State guidelines and will deviate from the monthly amount with no rhyme or reason behind it.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ1332
Rating:2.3

Comments:
Horrible judge, proven to not be fair and impartial.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ1331
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Katherine Cooper - Kay Cooper, needs to be removed from the bench. She has proven to be not be fair and impartial. She does not look at the facts of the case, she seems to react harshly and hastily based on economic status and gender.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ726
Rating:2.4

Comments:
I've seen Judge Cooper in action and it's not good. I just recently found out she is on the list of Judges that "CLEAR THE BENCH" is trying to vote off the bench.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: AZ725
Rating:8.9

Comments:
Judge Cooper is well prepared for her cases and keeps attorneys focused on key points of the case. Some people might not like her rulings but they are always well thought out and have a solid legal basis.

Litigant

Comment #: AZ703
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Cooper does not look at evidence. She is biased and not capable of being a fair judge. I can only assume this judge flips a coin.

My case is so unbelievable that I find it hard to believe. I am sending a complaint to the Arizona Commission of Judicial Conduct. However, I don't expect them to do anything about her. She abuses her discretion depending on how she feels, who she likes, and God only knows what other criteria she uses to make a ruling. Her rulings have nothing to do with evidence...I know that for sure.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: AZ612
Rating:1.9

Comments:
She is completely biased, and unwilling (or unable) to be impartial.