"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Stephen P. Pfahler	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Los Angeles County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 9.2 - 9 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 4.0 - 3 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. Stephen P. Pfahler

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA55062
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
judge Stephen Phahler may be, to some, a fair and impartial judge. He has not been fair and impartial in my civil case over which he presided. Show this evidence to prove he's a fair judge to all.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: CA38588
Rating:9.7

Comments:
Judge Pfahler is one of the good ones. I found his judicial demeanor to be professional and even handed. He issues very reasoned, sound, and detailed tentative rulings. He does not shy away from working hard and making tough calls. It is very refreshing to see such a hard working jurist. It makes us litigators want to represent our clients better, too.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA36986
Rating:10.0

Comments:
If there ever was a more cerebral, fair, consistent, and down to earth judge, I haven’t seen them anywhere in California. Judge Pfahler is by far the best judge a litigant or a lawyer could ever ask for. I appear before him very often, I have been sanctioned by him, and recently taken an L. Even still, justice is best served in F49. Also, as a man of color I have never ever felt even a shred of racial bias in the honorable judge’s Courtroom. In fact, if one of my own ever said otherwise I would stand with Judge Pfahler. That’s how sure I am of his unbiased disposition. If you have a case in his Court, know that win or lose justice will be served, the laws of CA, and Constitution of the USA upheld. To the dissenters below, if the good judge took a different position, then it’s probably bc the lawyer brought a a new argument or new information. A flexible mind is a sign of a good judge, it means he is constantly adjusting and trying to be as accurate as possible, or nearest to the correct decision and the truth. Besides, you can always appeal but I’m willing to bet neither of the dissenters filed an appeal and if they did there is no doubt trial courts decision was upheld. He presides without ego without arrogance, and with a clear love for the law. I’d much rather have a judge that will listen and give each side a real chance, than a judge who is so ridged in his approach that no matter what anyone argues it’s meaningless bc it falls on deaf ears. A day in court at f49 is not just semantics, it is genuine, fair, and as is all litigation, often unpredictable. The other thing that is so impressive about this judge is that he does not sway to the will of a high power lawyer, he’s not interested in popularity he’s interested in executing his post and interpreting the law in an efficient, orderly, and most importantly respectful manner.

Other

Comment #: CA31955
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He changed his mind on his own decision twice on two separate issues. Every rational of explanation he gave he later opposed it and changed his ruling. He is indecisive, hypocritically and clearly being swayed by the others side on the down low. I wish I could tell the judge the repercussions of his changing his mind. He is too liberal and doesn't use his own knowledge or law to make final decisions.

Other

Comment #: CA24539
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Wishy-washy and over turns his own decision on amended complaints 1 week later like has his retired friend "Judge Stone In his ear over the weekend unilaterally decided for him. His rationale starts off good and fair at the hearings then, a week later he completely changes his mind like he never remembered his thought process and experience and rules in a 180. In talking to a person friend that is a prosecutor for LA of 25 years he referenced that some retired judge" had his ear. A judge that goes against his own rationale and his own decisions needs to step down.

Litigant

Comment #: CA17811
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Pfahler is absolutely the best judge that I have ever encountered.
I state this from experience because, unfortunately, I have had to across many judges and they were and are among the worst and most dihonest.
However, as stated, The Honorable Judge Pfahler is the best.
He is truly a gentleman, and I have told him so before.
He is not just evenhanded and entirely fair, he is knowlegeable, calm, collective, and ever the professional.
Not a single negative adjective can ever be used about this wonderful individual and judicial officer.
I speak from first-hand experience, as a litigant.
On or about 2014 or 2015 I was in his courtroom, pro per, against a most surely, dishonest, difficult attorney who did his utmost to make my life miserable.
He used the legal system to stalk and harass me at almost every given moment.
I was forced to represent myself for much of the time.
Judge Pfahler, as intelligent, fair, and humane as he is, saw through the the legal games and always rendered fair rulings.
He was (and I can state with certainty, always will be) more than a gentleman and fair practitioner.
And, in such a messed up society as we have, I hope that some day very soon he runs for office, as his type would be the first best the only best of any other politician.
Truly a man whom others can only aspire to be.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA14168
Rating:9.3

Comments:
Judge Pfahler is one of the most even-handed, least temperamental, and most thoughtful and studious judges I have encountered in the Los Angeles Court System. I agree with others that he is no nonsense, and insists on orderly presentations and proper procedure, but he also does not beat either the litigants or their attorneys over the head when things (as they will in litigation) get complicated or unusual. The Superior Court should have Judge Pfahler teach other Judges how to preside and run their court rooms, and how to present their rulings and moderate their demeanor. A genuine class act.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA10732
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Probably one of the best judges in LA County in my opinion. His rulings are well researched, fair, and even handed. His temperament is ideal. His docket is pretty full, but he moves his cases along, and makes well reasoned judgments in his cases. Very happy when I get a case assigned to him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10150
Rating:9.3

Comments:
This judge is a model of proper judicial temprament. I have never seen a judge with better courtroom demeanor toward litigants and attorneys.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA9536
Rating:7.9

Comments:
I have appeared before him on several occasions and his calm demeanor is as refreshing as his thoughtful rulings. But Lookout for the court attendant.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7564
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have been in front of Judge Pfahler in civil motion practice many times. He comes to each hearing very well prepared; he reads everything; his tentative rulings are detailed and substantive (which is very helpful, win or lose); and he is extremely diligent about issuing rulings in a timely manner. Although he is firm and no-nonsene, he is one of the most pleasant, professional, and respectful judges in the CA Superior Court system. As a plaintiff or defendant, you will be treated fairly.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5750
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Kind, fair, drama-free. His staff can be a bit mercurial however.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA2172
Rating:6.7

Comments:
Judge Pfahler keeps firm control of his courtroom, but he is hardworking and diligent. He has a professional temperament and makes reasoned rulings.