"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Los Angeles County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 2.9 - 15 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 3.0 - 24 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. Susan Lopez-Giss

Comments

Court Staff

Comment #: CA53813
Rating:1.0

Comments:
stay away from ADR SERVICES. A desperate, frigid screamer unable to maintain her train of thought. A stuttering, unprofessional biased rushed mediator to avoid. If Lopes-Giss is assigned to your case, immediately request another!

Litigant

Comment #: CA45172
Rating:1.0

Comments:
We had approximately 8 MSC/VSC's over a 10 month time period. With the level of experience this judge is supposed to have I found it surprising how unprofessional, unprepared, snarky and most importantly ineffective at moderating she was. This should have been an easy case to mediate based on the simple merits of the disagreement per precedence of the law. She had to be refreshed of the case every meeting and would flip flop her "side" each time. She would request information for the next meeting then not hold people accountable for not bringing it or not even use the info when it was brought. It feels like she gave up on justice long ago and is just waiting to retire.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA40752
Rating:2.6

Comments:
The worst family law judge I have ever appeared before.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA37329
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Lopez-Giss started off the final custody TSC with the statement that she read the file (it’s at least 4 volumes - yeah right) and she doesn’t “like” the parties. Way to demonstrate your impartiality Judge! She draws false equivalencies between female survivors of abuse who are facing coercive control and financial abuse and male abusers who file motion after motion and cycle through attorneys like dirty underwear. Her temperament is toxic and her “say it like it is” stance is really an opportunity to be verbally abusive. Where does LASC get these judges? From the ‘you can’t make it as a real lawyer’ rubbish pile. I’m sure this comment will be deleted as this site is prone to do, but somebody should see this comment before it’s eliminated.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA35983
Rating:2.8

Comments:
The worst demeanor I have ever seen on the bench.

Other

Comment #: CA35605
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Clearly this post is from counsel of the Father otherwise who would make such an ignorant statement

Litigant

Comment #: CA35604
Rating:10.0

Comments:
The Honorable Susan Lopez-Giss is fair-minded, hard-nosed, and unswayed by traditional emotional appeals.

In my recent case, she was focused on the evidence and saw through the emotional appeals and fake tears of the plaintiff.

I could offer no higher praise or thanks to any judge than this -- Judge Lopez-Giss saved my life.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA26284
Rating:7.7

Comments:
The Hon. Lopez-Giss tells it like it is, so be prepared to accept that right up front. She will not waste anyone’s time arguing the small, irrelevant details she isn’t making a ruling on.

My only complaint about this judge is if you get dragged into the weeds arguing over something ridiculous with opposing side, she can’t distinguish which one is a bigger idiot, which happened to me ONE time.

As difficult as it may be, if the opposing party gets off track, just stick to the points at hand; otherwise you’ll be sliced and diced up together. Brutal

Other

Comment #: CA18785
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
After reading previous reviews, I had a lot of anxiety going in. My ex has character flaws making him an impossible person to deal with.

He liquidated his company assets, purposely lowered his income to request spousal support, stole money from me, vandalized my belongings and wanted me to walk away from our home and leave him everything.

He is hostile/aggressive with me and eventually it trickled down to our then 15 yr old.

I have every incident documented and Hon. Lopez-Giss was able to see the truth. Although, I waived $50K worth of reimbursements, he was not awarded spousal support and my 15 yr old could visit her father at her discretion.

Its important to remain professional despite an ex's behavior and stick to facts and documentation. Thank you Hon. Lopez-Giss.

Other

Comment #: CA16553
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
She is extremely competent and unbiased in family law. She says it as it is.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA16440
Rating:1.6

Comments:
Didnt ask me,85 year old mother, why my son was so cruel to me or why I made some
graffiti on his wall. Wasnt interested in my side at all. She allowed him and his lawyer to go back to her quarters before the trial. I had no lawyer. She shouldnt be allowed on the bench.

Other

Comment #: CA15409
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
She gave no consideration to me, it did not appear to do more than glance at my reportings

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA14785
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Horrible

Litigant

Comment #: CA14784
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is an embarrassment to the Bench she holds. She does not read evidence provided. She bullies her way thru, is unlawful and biased against women. She did not provide mediation when I requested saying that the department was being restructured. She allowed bullying behavior from my ex, ignoring his threatening gestures to me while testifying. She has cost my Family everything whilst allowing the absurdity in the case to continue. She blatantly announced, in the beginning, that she would not award me any support even short term after a very long marriage. She is known for her irrational outbursts and in one such moment yelled out at me that she would look forward to using my every last dollar I had and would award it all to the attorneys. The statement was such a shock that even the court reporter looked up at me. This woman is reprehensible and should be de-robed and barred. She should be investigated by the District Attorney, for how she wrecks lives in the courtroom instead of judging with wisdom and within the parameters of the law.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA14234
Rating:7.8

Comments:
I find Ms. Lopez-Giss very fair. I find this refreshing at a time when so many people in family court (male judges for example) are so prejudiced against fathers. She sees through the deceit and tells it like it is. Some people cannot handle it like lawyers who love milking their clients and are called on their games.

Other

Comment #: CA13199
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Susan Lopez-Giss is amazing and full of wisdom. She does not suffer fools when it comes to the interest of the children. In my situation, I was dealing with a mother that kidnapped my daughter and drastically reduced her quality of life out of very selfish ethnocentric reasons. The mother then committed perjury and made up stories in an attempt to remove my daughter from my life. Luckily, Judge Lopez-Giss read through her immediately and granted a fair custody arrangement that I was seeking from the beginning. Now I can sleep.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA13177
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Lopez Giss has serious issues with women; she is not professional; she is the worst person ever and she should not be a judge.

Other

Comment #: CA13173
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is awful, lazy, irresponsible, and very unpredictable. She doesn't care about the welfare of children. She gave unsupervised custodial time to a father who had been caught with his child at a bar and had several documented DUIs. Who does that? I agree that rulings should have nothing to do with adults, but facts are facts. How does she sleep at night? How many children's lives has she put in danger due to her irresponsible behavior.

Other

Comment #: CA13054
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge makes up her own reality and loves the sound of her own voice... I read her reviews before she saw my case but I really was hoping they were wrong ... doesn’t care about facts or the law ... she does what she wants ... she has been desensitized by her history of involvement with domestic violence cases and somehow is of the mind that unless you are being brutally beat every day that is not damaging... I’m sorry but what was done to me and my children has permanently scarred us emotionally and my kids have anxiety because of it ... but no you are right our abuser deserves his “rights “ as a father ? So now we wait till someone is hurt enough to warrant justice and then maybe he will be held accountable for his abuse ... at what cost ?

Other

Comment #: CA12596
Rating:9.0

Comments:
She cares about the best interests of the innocent children who are the victims of the situation Judge Giss ID prevailing over. I've seen her several times and can tell she's very passionate about the children. And when parents bring their BS in there and try cast blame and appear superior she is great at getting to the bottom of things. Most of the time, a lawyer is a waste of money because she often won't be interested in the lawyer's words. She's done this along time and doesn't favor Mothers or Fathers. She favors the kids. And the people mad at her and giving her poor reviews online are the ones that are unsuccessful at pulling the wool over her eyes. She's a rock solid Judge Judy type.

Other

Comment #: CA12084
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Lopez-Giss is the absolute worse. I’ve seen her several times in court and The was she treats people is inhuman and civilly wrong. She is biased and very temperamental . If I didn’t know any better I would say she is bipolar. I understand she wants what’s best for the children but she does not review the cases and just goes based off who she feels is the best fit parent without looking at the facts. She gave 50/50 custody to a father who has a past of anger issues, who has verbally, mentally and physically abused their mother and two oldest children and had the father only pay $75 of child support for 3 children ???? How does that makes sense. It’s judges like her that need to be evaluated for mental stability. She is loud and belittles people. When people think that justice will be served fairly, she is not the judge to do so. She needs to retire !

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA11917
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Off the cuff rulings without relation to facts before her. I don't know if she has policies or prejudices, but every lawyer I know who's been in front of her is unhappy with her arbitrary and irrational rulings.

Other

Comment #: CA10822
Rating:10.0

Comments:
WHAT AN AMAZING JUDGE!! I will tell you immediately, anyone who has a problem with her...it's only because they have a selfish mindset. This isn't about YOU or YOUR SPOUSE...it's about your kids. Sadly she has to make a lot of parents see that. And that is where others bad reviews come in. They only think about themselves and are upset when this judge has to put them in their place in order to put their children first. The contentious cases go to her...for obvious reasons. She is strong and she has to be the middle person when couples don't get it. Do not go into family court and talk about what your spouse did to you!!! HELLO! That's why you are getting divorced! That's your reward to your complaints! That does not give you the right to punish your kids so yes, she'll tell you that. Something she shouldn't have to tell you.

Other

Comment #: CA10698
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is very unfair and very unprofessional...I can NOT believe the way she conducts herself...she told me to bring in all my evidence to prove my case as I did...I spent a lot of time and money making my declaration...she didn't even look at it...she allowed my ex to trash me without any evidence or any proof at all and I wasn't allowed to defend myself...what kinda judge does that...I thought they are supposed to be fair for the children and parents....I can NOT believe she is allowed to be a judge...she has ruined another family

Litigant

Comment #: CA10489
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
very unpredictable, she is for men
litigant, she is lazy. She keeps changing her mind during hearing. She thinks she is Judge Judy. Try to avoid
going with this Judge

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10033
Rating:1.0

Comments:
[Redacted by Ed.] she just takes off on unfounded attacks on counsel and the parties without any provocation. Neither side is safe. She routinely ignores failings of parties to timely file papers, but at the same time will come down hard on parties who do follow her orders and the code without any rationale to the puzzlement of all in attendance.
She [Redacted] is wildly unpredictable. She pays no attention to any statutes or case law cited to her by either side and makes bizarre rulings that appear to be based entirely on her mood at that moment. She is frequently yelling or laughing on the bench with no provocation whatsoever.
[redacted]

Other

Comment #: CA10002
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Where is the "0" rating option. This judge clearly has a bias. She appears to be mentally unstable and is unfair. She prided herself on being called explicit names. She stated it good when people hate her. She made a ruling on a new case without removing herself from the bench to review the case file. She made emotional decisions based on personal opinions and not facts. She never opened the case file to gather the facts. She was yelling, she berated, verbally abused, shamed, threatened, accusatory, and humiliated the defendant. She had no regard for the attorneys. She yelled at him in the courtroom and told him "SIT DOWN MR....I AM SPEAKING TO OUR CLIENT". She humiliates and is not in the least bit civil. She chastised the defendant for following a court order.Really? The plaintiff pays 0 child support, made 1 visit in 8 months was named parent of the year. She abused her position as a judge and did NOT display what our judicial system should display and that is fairness and just for all. She is horrible and should not be on the bench. It's pretty bad when an employee of the courts asked to speak to an attorney out in the hall off the record to apologize for the behavior of the courts and it's judge on how they were treated in the courtroom.. And that is what happened. She is UNFIT to be on the bench. She did not weigh in the facts. This is unjust.

Other

Comment #: CA9826
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Lol to the last comment " facelift and more! The comment before def a dillusional Male
That woman is a life wrecker from hell!

Other

Comment #: CA9806
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Lopez-Giss was wonderful to watch in action. Her judgments were fair and always had the best interest of the child at heart. I know there are a lot of parents who do not share this sentiment but as she said herself, "Figure out what you're both going to be unhappy with because ultimately, that's what I'm going to choose." She's not there to make everyone happy. If that were possible, you wouldn't need her to begin with. She's there to do whats right by the children and I really believe she does just that. She actually cares about every child that comes through her courtroom. Parents come second to the welfare of the child. It was an honor to have her overseeing most of my case.

Litigant

Comment #: CA9540
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I finally had one fair day in court. I am a divorcing dad that has been falsely accused of domestic violence as a way for my ex-spouse to gain tactical divorce/custody advantage over our children. I lawyered up and have been summarily screwed as a result of false allegations, my kids are being alienated by a malicious and vindictive woman hell-bent on making me suffer. Two years of this crap. Finally we go before Judge Giss for FCCRC and the judge was fair, she gave us both an earful for not being more civil and to my ex for spousifying the children and influencing them to disconnect. Judge Giss stood up for my children's rights and made it a point to drive home the fact that our kids deserve BOTH of us parents. I still feel screwed over in family court by virtue of being born with male wedding tackle and by the false dvtro that ejected me out of orbit with my kids. I'm still alienated and screwed, but Judge Giss did publicly admonish my vindictive ex and ordered her to have the children communicate with me. My ex tried to get 100% custody and more cs. Judge Giss told her she should be thankful for what she's getting. Although my kids were stripped from my life by armed men wearing badges as a result of false allegations by an ex trying to destroy me, I feel that a tiny bit of justice was finally done.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA9531
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She lies, she will even act as an attorney to protect a party she likes.
She loves to protect me. She is incompetent, insulting and she thinks
she is judge Judy. She is very lazy and
has no common sense. Makes decisions based on her mood.

Other

Comment #: CA8773
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman breaks the law in her own court room. She violates the very oath she took to get that robe. She does things no other judge will do and in my case other judges have ruled against what she has done knowing it's not legal. Family law is not the courtroom this woman should be in if any at all she prevents you from getting copies of transcripts because she knows the things she says in the court would disrobe her

Other

Comment #: CA8772
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Susan is fully aware that some parents file false charges and attempt to use the court against the other parent and may even get away with it for a time until they reach her court. So if you plan to file false charges or if you have done so in the past know that Judge Susan is detail oriented in her case review and decisions. My opinion she is great and looks over all the records and is not afraid to get it right and will modify previous actions by the court.

Other

Comment #: CA7251
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This lady is crazy, lazy I am a mother of 7 total 1 that I am fitting that I had to hand over to the dad for bad behavior. She told me I will not get him back cut my visitation rights plus says I make to much money and I have to pay him $983 for child support when he never provided in 10years that he was with me. she totally ruled against me and gave the father everything he asked her and did not let me speak. I think we should all get together and get her out of that court. My lawyer now is helping me get a motion of her ruling and a complain against her. Oh she said I wonder why your mother don't like you.

Litigant

Comment #: CA7156
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This is the worst family law judge to ever take the bench, she does not follow the law and weigh both cases she is a very psychotic and a emotionally disturbed judge that should be in a mental institution instead of being on the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7057
Rating:10.0

Comments:
These comments here are way off base and perhaps written by disgruntled parents who don't believe in fair visitation for fathers. This judge is one of the finest, most learned, family court judges I have experienced in my 32 years of practice. She is prepared, reads all the submitted materials, and rules wisely after full contemplation of the issues before her.

Other

Comment #: CA6455
Rating:2.0

Comments:
The worst family law judge in LA county

Other

Comment #: CA3147
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Terrible. Terrifying. This woman does not think for safety and is ruled by emotion. She is not fit to judge. It is very clear.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2834
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is a complete lunatic! Her mood changes based on the meds she took. It’s completely obvious she is over medicated. She starts laughing out of nowhere like a crazed woman. She loved putting mothers down even when the fathers are on drugs, alcohol, abusive, homeless, and has no means to support a child she still gives these fathers way to much visitation of these innocent children. I’ve seen wonderful mother’s spirits broken in the court room. Take this Medicated Monster of the Bench!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA1896
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I was not done. Cont: She has no heart to even notice the tears the mother is shedding. Honest mothers that are involved with their children and have them in good schools but the dead beat dads that dont want to pay child support and have criminal records sit and act so innocent like they are the victims. When they try to hurt the mothers but in all they are hurting their children.No wisdom at all. Just plain STUPIDITY. Good mothers pleading for this judge to listen to them and she doesnt give an ear. While the father sits there and plays innocent.Judge Lopez says she is tired of the same parents in the court room over and over but yet she is the one to have them come back or gives into the father to bring the mother back for some reason. I belive when she open the case fail of those in court that she doesnt even remember them from the previous visit. To her its just doing her job another day. Its not her life. SO PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR HER IN 2012. Lets get judges in the court rooms that are honest and fair and have conviction and show no partiality, someone that listen to everything. JUST LIKE GOD, He is not a respector of persons. He is a fair and just God.

Other

Comment #: CA1895
Rating:1.0

Comments:
DO NOT VOTE FOR JUDGE SUSAN LOPEZ IN 2012. SHE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OFF THE BENCH. She is against mothers , and now I know why. On another comment someone made about her, they said she stated in court that her mother kept her from her father. So now it seems she is taking it out on mothers in court. She has no heart and she is a meen lady and loves sitting on that chair with power to destroy mothers and their childrens lives. She wont even listen to what the mother has to say. But yet you have to sit and listen to her boring speech she makes at the beginning of court. like it matters.

Other

Comment #: CA1891
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman, needs help and counceling for herself. She is ultimately taking out her anger on mothers who do truely provide for there children. And through the past years, having to be in her court room I have seen unworthly fathers playing on Ms.Lopez Giss emotions. Every Father already knows how she will side with them and these ugly Fathers who even with criminal records are being favored in her courtroom. This woman has issues she has even stated in her courtroom, "she will make sure that nobody will walk out of her courtroom happy." What kind of good ruling is that if these Fathers are being praised for their unworthliness. Where single mothers are struggling to survive and provide and this judge is robing these mothers who give their lives for there kids and I dont understand her position because a woman goes through a lot of pain in 9 months to have a child that a Father could never bare or understand. To be a woman in her courtroom she is robbing us of motherhood giving up time to a Father who is only out for his own good never a childs. This lady needs to be thrown out on the streets and needs a realitly on what it means to be a woman with little money and surviving this economy on her own for her kids. This woman needs to be voted out. I hope that all who comment have gone to further messures to reporting Susan Lopez Giss for her unlawful rulings and decision making as she too has a boss to report to, find out who it is let them know the circus she runs in the court room, and dont forget our state has issued her a license to practice let it be public and known, that she may need a evaluation for herself.

Other

Comment #: CA1870
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is lazy, intemperate, biased and unfit for her position. She is abusive to all who appear in her court.

Other

Comment #: CA1509
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She is completely a pro-father lawyer regardless of the circumstances. Who is she to tell a mother that breast feeding isn't necessary. After all it won't get the child into Harvard. Last time I checked this judge was not a medical doctor. Even with proof that breast feeding is best she ignored doctors letters and ruled in favor of the father. Lets find away for her to not need to be re-elected in 2012. Let's find a way to get her off.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA1349
Rating:2.1

Comments:
Hon. Lopez-Gliss is bias toward mothers/women period. She is completely unreasonable in her courtroom and contridicts her own first hour of preaching! She is out of control if she is contridicted and easily angered. Once that happens there is no going back. Ultimately she seems tickled by all the fellows (counsel and fathers)and hates on women and mothers. This is all obvious to anyone who has seen her in action. SHE SHOULD BE REMOVED!!!!!

Other

Comment #: CA1315
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This Judge is out of control in the courtroom, and should be removed from that courtroom she is taking sides with the fathers not with the mothers that hD TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN WHEN DADDY IS TOO BUSY OR IS PARTING AND SMOKING DOPE WITH THE GIRL FRIEND. i SAW TO CASES IN BOTH SHE PUT DOWN THE MOTHERS AND SIDED WITH THE DADDYS ONE CASE THE FATHER HAD NOT BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE CHILD AND GOT WHAT HE WANTED. THE OTHER CASE THE DADDY WAS TO BUSY TO GO TO PARENTING CLASSES OR FOLOW UP COURTS ORDER AND HE GOT HIS WAY AND THE BITCH LET HIM GET HIS WAY AND HE IS A DRUGY AND POT SMOKER AND PARTY ANIMAL AND i KNOW THE FACTS OF THIS LOOSER BUT GOT THAT BITCH ON THE BENCH THAT IS ON HIS SIDE

Other

Comment #: CA1190
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Susan Lopez Giss, is a biased, unlawful judge, whom thinks she is able to size up people based on looking act them, ignores the law when it suits her opinion. Susan Lopez Giss is extremely biased towards women as she states her mother kept her from her father. She believes are women are evil and lying sluts as fathers are perfect angels just trying to see there children. She is ruining peoples and childrens lifes and she should not be re-elected 2012!

Other

Comment #: CA1171
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman is not a good judge she is insane. She is biased against women and takes the kids away from them for no reason. She is evil and a monster and there is a special place in hell for this sub-standard judge.