"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Renee C Reyna	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
San Mateo County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.9 - 3 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 4.0 - 9 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. Renee C Reyna

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: CA54923
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have the utmost respect and admiration for Judge Reyna. She was very fair and thoughtful in our extended divorce process with custody & financial issues to consider. She did not favor one side, but considered all facts and evidence, and the best interest of the kids above all. She was efficient, which might come off as rude to some, but that's her job. I wish there were more judges like her.

Litigant

Comment #: CA54668
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Renee Reyna makes completely emotional decisions, instead of relying on facts. She drives her court in the way she wants instead of being incompliant with the law, allow both parties bring their facts. Her ignorance on complaint that other party is lying in the court under oath, should say something.

Litigant

Comment #: CA54577
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I’ve had an absolutely terrible experience with Judge Reyna, and it’s shocking that someone with such a poor understanding of basic legal principles is allowed to preside over family court cases. She is not only rude, aggressive, and biased, but also demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge and experience necessary for making fair decisions in matters that deeply affect families and children.

If you ever find yourself in her courtroom, I urge you to immediately request a different judge before your case is heard. She is impatient, dismissive, and shows no regard for the individuals and families whose lives she is responsible for impacting. Our children deserve better than a judge who can’t uphold the basic principles of fairness and decency.

I have personally filed a lawsuit against Judge Reyna in the Northern California District Court under Johnson vs. Reyna (Case No. 3:24-cv-01004-TLT). I will not allow her reckless and harmful behavior to continue without accountability. It's unacceptable that such incompetence is tolerated, and I hope my case will pave the way for her removal from the bench. She has no place in the family court system.

Litigant

Comment #: CA54555
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Reyna denied my motions several times per other party's attorney's requests. Judge Reyna failed to quote any California Family Code, CCP or CRC when she denied my case many times. She is biased, lack of family law experience. She should not be in that position.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA54326
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Terrible judge, she needs to be removed from her seat. If you are before this judge make sure you request a new one before you are before her. She’s rude, biased, impatient and doesn’t have the experience or knowledge to be in the family court system. Our children deserve more!

She was given too much power and doesn’t know how to handle it or use it correctly.

Litigant

Comment #: CA54133
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Reyna consistently and flagrantly disregards due process and the law. She has no regard for federal ADA and HIPPA protections. Her hubris is so great that she doesn't even attempt to disguise her complete lack of judicial impartiality and shirking of her ethical obligations. She is tyrannical and unable to control her narcissistic rage at any hint of what she perceives to be "disobedience" in her courtroom, this "disobedience" being the mere assertion of one's basic civil rights. Judge Reyna has caused irreparable, quantifiable harm to children and families, many of whom have already suffered through domestic violence. She has a pattern of particularly egregious behavior towards women victims of domestic violence and pro se litigants. I doubt the legal action against Reyna mentioned below will be the last. She should be impeached.

Litigant

Comment #: CA53449
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I strongly believe that Judge Rana is [Redacted by Ed.] and has displayed a flagrant disregard for court protocols and family Penal codes in San Mateo County. Her rulings have been tyrannical, and it is evident that her appointment by the Governor was misguided, based solely on her ethnicity rather than her qualifications. I have taken legal action against her in the Northern District of California, Johnson v. Reyna et.al. 3:2024cv01004

Other

Comment #: CA53437
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Reyna obviously favors the manipulator/controller side. She granted a legal right to my granddaughter though he is not the biological father, not married to my daughter and did not adopt my granddaughter. This is a case of ex-boyfriend that could not let go of my daughter, so he went after the innocent. child. She listened more to his lawyers and did not give weight to my daughter's side of the story. It was very clear that she already has judgement even before she heard her side. It's frustrating that instead of giving justice to the victim, she handed it to the manipulator. She granted this man 2 overnights with my granddaughter, it's sickening! Now the manipulator still has a grip to my daughter's life instead of starting over, she still has to talk to this man. I really hope there is a way to expose her, and family court judges like her.

Other

Comment #: CA49368
Rating:4.0

Comments:
Going through a divorce in this court has proven to be a formidable challenge. It frequently appears that every hired professional endeavors to take advantage of the situation, particularly when one party grapples with mental health issues. The professionals you enlist seem determined to exploit your vulnerability, both financially and emotionally. To be candid, it appears as though they derive satisfaction from this, especially when they gain more from the circumstances. I struggle to fathom the conduct of these individuals. This system is especially disheartening for fathers who genuinely cherish their child and seek to spend time with them, especially those with an untarnished record in every aspect.

What makes matters worse is that the judge appears to understand the situation but refuses to issue reasonable court orders that could curtail this behavior from the paid professionals involved. Simply said the judge takes baby steps to make the unfortunate party give up on their child due to lack of financial resources.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA49014
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A Very Rude and Biased Judge. Always Favors to some attorneys. The worst thing is she writes her order before another party to testify or prove the facts. Totally Unbelievable! Many people already feel very bad about San Mateo Superior Court.

Litigant

Comment #: CA49010
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Reyna was very rude when I presented my case. She only listened to another party for a long time. When I proved my evidence, she muted me through Zoom and cut me short immediately. She failed to read my responses and accused me to identify the Prior Judge Dabel's erred rulings. She had written her order before listening my evidence.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA48471
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Judge Reyna is new and lack of experience as a family law Judge at San Mateo Superior Court. She shows favor to some attorneys. She cut you short at the hearings if you are a pro per. San Mateo Superior Court should have good family law Judges to handle cases efficiently and fairly.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA47364
Rating:9.3

Comments:
I am a lawyer in private practice with more than 20 trials, including multiple family law trials. Judge Reyna is currently assigned to family law, which is an excellent fit for her style and disposition. I've now had two trials in front of Judge Reyna, and in each case her decisions were clear and also well-illustrated. Her temperament is excellent. I think Judge Reyna is destined for a higher court for various reasons, including her temperament and her impressive pedigree-- Stanford for her undergraduate degree and U.C. Davis for law school. The intellect shows, but so does the heart, which in my opinion is in the right place even though I might disagree with certain aspects of the decisions. On that note, her decisions could benefit from somewhat more legal analysis, but I understand judges are perpetually overloaded and the scholarship suffers as a result, especially in family law.

Other

Comment #: CA46271
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Honorable Judge Renee C. Reyna is thoughtful, fair and objective. I am one of those unfortunate individuals where my ex will not agree to anything as a result my legal fees are piling up like. I am super grateful my case is assigned to judge Reyna because she sees through the nonsense from the other side and makes objective judgments. Quite a few men that I've spoken to about their divorces said you may not have a chance with family law in San Mateo county. I beg the difference because I told them this judge is modern and fair. Judge Reyna is all about protecting the child!!!!

Litigant

Comment #: CA43012
Rating:8.0

Comments:
Judge Reyna is a well-spoken, prepared, thoughtful, empathetic and decisive judge. She runs her court efficiently and effectively. San Mateo County is lucky to have her.

One thing she could improve on is staying strong after giving orders even when aggressive attorneys make remarks that undermine or complain about them. I watched her change two of her orders in a hearing today after a weaselly opposing counsel expressed his displeaure over them. Over time I believe she will develop more confidence to stick to her decisions after she shares the orders rather than relenting to the squeakiest wheel.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA36299
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
So rude for no reason, has no sympathy. Just because you are a judge doesn’t mean you need to be a you know what!!!

Other

Comment #: CA33453
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Why there is no negative rating? The commissioner is the worse in the most corrupt county that she would do anything to favor the DA. When the court records are tampered and falsified in the bogus charges, the DA would assign the case to the commissioner Reyna. I was charged with bogus crimes and framed during the pandemic in this county. There is no dignity in this county.