"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Lisa A. Novak	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
San Mateo County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.3 - 17 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 2.0 - 8 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. Lisa A. Novak

Comments

Prosecutor

Comment #: CA39690
Rating:9.0

Comments:
I had Novak when I was a fresh attorney. She allowed the defense attorney every objection imaginable, and held me to an unreasonably high standard as a law clerk. That said, she was always fair.

Once the defense attorney started talking she held that attorney to the same high bar.

She is a terrifying judge to be in front of. At this point I have argued 40+ hearings in court and she remains the scariest judge I have ever been in front of. Though that's because she expects you to be able to do your job. If you know the rules of evidence and the rules of court you are in for a good hearing. If you expect to stand there and make irrelevant unsubstantiated arguments, or to admit evidence without foundation, you are in for a bad time.

My guess is that she will receive a large number of 1 star ratings from terrible attorneys. People who never took the time to review the rules of evidence and are lashing out at the judge for holding them to that standard.

To any attorneys who actually want a fair picture of her, she is good yet terrifying. You will only get chastised for things you truly screwed up on, but she will expect you to understand evidence.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA38751
Rating:2.8

Comments:
THIS IS A JUDGE WHO HAS NO BUSINESS BEING A JUDGE. A COMPLETE AND UTTER SHAME THAT THIS MERCURIAL ANGRY AND OBNOXIOUS PERSON MAKES THINGS UP AS SHE GOES. YOU COULD GET THE OPPOSITE RULING FROM THIS JUDGE AS SHE GAVE YOU THE DAY BEFORE. SOMETIMES IS PLEASANT TO BE AROUND BUT MORE OFTEN IS AN UNPLEASANT SNOT. THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH VERSION OF HER YOU'RE GOING TO GET IS A MAJOR PART OF THE PROBLEM DEALING WITH MATTERS IN HER COURTROOM. I HATE COMING TO THIS COUNTY IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF JUDGE NOVAK

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA35075
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This woman has absolutely no business wearing the robe or being in a courtroom! She's incredibly rude and hateful. She discriminates and contradicts herself. The most unprofessional judge I've ever come into contact with. I don't understand how such a person became a judge let alone supervising judge. How can you look at a person going through whatever it may be while in your court room with such discussed in judgment without even hearing them out first. I was felt betrayed by my judicial system when I was put in front of this judge. This person is supposed to represent our County and she is one of the most ugly person I've ever been around. Her manner on the bench is of a careless soul. She wouldn't even let me finish my sentence let alone give her my evidence and proof of incidents Brought at hand. I had police reports, surveillance pictures, physical evidence none of which she let me present. The danger of my family and myself was imminent. After being fed up with the whole case because it wasn't going in the direction she wanted ( which was in my favor) she stormed out of the court room like a small child to her chamber slamming the door ultimately not finding in my favorite though I had everything needed and had provided. The uncertainty of my families safety was sealed because of this woman. And she made that decision so easily without the blink of an eye or a care in the world. And as a matter of factly seemed annoyed that I had even asked her for such a thing as fairness. I hope and pray everyday that this woman is taken off the bench!

Other

Comment #: CA32334
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I would rate negative infinity with this judge. I am facing malicious prosecution in the San Mateo Court with bogus charges during the pandemic. The private defender appointed despite my refusal and the lawyer did not show interest to defend the prosecution. I was offered plea deal for 2 months jail for unrelated issue as resisting arrest and obstruction of police. The charges titled as domestic violence but not a single charge with DV included.
When I posted the bail on the same day I was allowed to make phone calls, I filed Feratta motion to fire the private defender and demand jury trial. The prosecution was suspended as incompetent to stand trial.
I was not allowed to speak when the competency hearing and only allowed the private defender to speak. I clearly said in the court that I did not consent and the lawyer does not represent me at any reason.
The judge threatened me with taking into custody and called me obstructionist. The judge knew the family therapy counseling report that the private defender had in possession and the conversation was clear that "I want to make educated order even I knew the defendant is incompetent with mental issues".
When a person is arrested 3 times in 3 months with inhumane condition in jail during the pandemic, separated from his child, loss of livelihood and malicious prosecution with bogus charges and constant harassment from the police, the judges expect the man to be smiling and show them respect.
This judge is not even deserve to be called a judge. The court is the worse in California as the judges are acting like above the law.
The case started in April 2020 when the courts are at minimum capacity and many were released with zero bail. I was set at $320K bail for misdemeanor for resisting arrest and obstruction but named Domestic Violence.

Other

Comment #: CA12855
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This Judge of mediocre ability, above her station, with her inability to process legal argument, self-knowledge of intellectual inferiority, inability to focus on the issues and often knowing that the Attorneys in the room are 10 times smarter than her make her a very unpleasant individual, defining her courtroom demeanor and behavior.

Other

Comment #: CA12525
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was mentally abused by Judge Novak. She berated me about things that made no sense!She cleared the courtroom, and berated me until I was reduced to a pile of shaking flesh. I got hives all over my face the next day.I put my review here previously.There was nothing real about any of it. I was railroaded. If there is someone, attorney, etc, out there who will help me get her reprimanded; let me know. I did nothing wrong, and was tormented and berated for no good reason. I had a false restraining order placed against me, by Kaiser, and my feeling that since my hands were tied, and there was not even the remotest resemblance to law in any of what was done to me. Obviously Kaiser has lots of influential money.....I am a widow, cancer survivor, with MS, and she did not care if the terrible things she said to me might harm my health. Kaiser even managed to keep me from getting an attorney, and I do not know how. My only attorney was appointed by Judge Novak, and he just kept me quiet and did nothing. If people who have been burned by her want to join forces with me; I think it would be great. Thank you. Email me.

Other

Comment #: CA10921
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Lisa Novak to charge someone with murder after 5 days of preliminary hearing and then grant that person bail, knowing that the family has millions if not billions. Now she gets to have her life of leisure in a mansion while awaiting trial. I hope you sleep well at night!

Other

Comment #: CA10766
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The 13 1 star ratings are the most accurate. The others seem to be those who don't really know her, or have faced her. Believe me, she is just abysmal!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA10765
Rating:1.0

Comments:
She just railroaded me, and would not allow me to defend myself at all. It was a nightmare, and a travesty of justice.

Other

Comment #: CA10764
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Lisa Novak, of San Mateo, CA, made such careless, cruel and disparaging remarks about me, that just crushed me into dust; even though she didn't know me, and had the case for only about an hour and a half! It was obvious that the opposing attorney had a "little" ex-parte conference with her during that hour and a half... that included a lunch break!. She never let me stand up for myself, or say anything, nor did my attorney even try. I don't believe she even had my file! All I could do was sit there and take it! There was something very wrong, and very strange about this entire thing! She absolutely gutted me, and left me a deflated human being. I was no longer the kind, helpful, loving person I knew myself to be, but someone, by her description; I didn't even recognize! Just because she is a judge does it mean she can falsely accuse, and eviscerate a person she didn't even know, based on what a person with an agenda had to say about her (me)? No wonder people often have a problem with our system of "justice!" It truly did feel like I was in a third world country! It was so horrible, that soon after I broke out in big red bumps all over my face, and feel awful! I think that her behavior was absolutely unconscionable!

Other

Comment #: CA10124
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Lisa Novak does not listen. That is an essential skill for a judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10069
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Arrogant, arrogant, arrogant! Did I mention..arrogant.
So full of herself it's a joke! Demeaning to staff and attorneys. Likes to play the smartest person in the room, not understanding that she looks like a fool. Tries to "bluff" her way through on issues that she knows nothing about. I guess she figures what the hell, she's got a 50/50 chance to get it right.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7215
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Threatening, biased, does not follow the law or does not know it, she should be removed from the bench and not allowed to be a judge elsewhere, she even sides with plaintiff if he is a convicted felon and was jailed with a long criminal record.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA5159
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I agree with the other comments regarding this judge's lack of ability in being a fair judge. She has no sense of due process, does not seem the understand the law and or applies it erroneously. I have argued before quite a number of judges, she is so far the worst one. It is difficult to reason logically with her, either she does not listen or does not understand the issues presented. It is hard to find a judge more judicially indisposed.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4916
Rating:1.9

Comments:
Her demeanor is consistent with most of the other comments. She has no sense of fairness and no concept of due process. She is ignorant of the law of unlawful detainer and anti-SLAPP. She does not belong on the bench, and should be "papered" (170.6) as often as possible.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4899
Rating:1.1

Comments:
I have had the same experience as the others here: she is arbitrary and incompetent. San Mateo County has a wealth of outstanding trial judges. She is not one of them. She is one of the worst judges around.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4886
Rating:9.4

Comments:
I have not had a lot of exposure to Judge Novak, but I had the opportunity to sit through an hour and a half of her civil calendar while I waited for my matter to be called. I was watching particularly to try and get a feel for the new law and motion judge in San Mateo. Honestly, anyone would have been an improvement over Judge Buchwald, but I was impressed with what I saw and happy to have her in law and motion where I make a lot of appearances. My impression of Judge Novak is that she is smart and fair. She is not overly harsh, but she runs a relatively tight ship. All of her rulings seemed to be backed up by the law and clear reasoning. I saw her chastise an attorney who had committed some pretty epic malpractice in failing to file an opposition to an MSJ (twice) and then trying to weasel out of it. She gave him a chance to argue and took a recess to review the law that he cited on the spot before affirming the tentative against him (I pulled the statutes myself while I was sitting there, and his arguments had no merit). She began the hearing two or three minutes late and kept it moving. I'd call her disposition almost cheerful, certainly pleasant, and she didn't let any annoyance she may have felt with the attorneys on one matter carry over to the next. She did not strike me as having a lot of patience, but she seemed willing to give everyone a fair opportunity to speak. It looked like she was coming down in favor of the plaintiff just as often as the defendant.

Other

Comment #: CA4499
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I totally agree with the previous comment: "As a potential juror...I was surprised when she let potential jurors off if they had a previously scheduled vacation and/or had already purchased tickets. In contrast, she was harsh on people with daycare issues and others where it was a financial hardship -- where the employer wouldn't pay for time spent on jury duty, and there would be lost wages." She was completely unsympathetic to my situation and very rude.

Other

Comment #: CA3974
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
As a potential juror, I thought that Judge Novak explained the procedures well. But I was surprised when she let potential jurors off if they had a previously scheduled vacation and/or had already purchased tickets. In contrast, she was harsh on people with daycare issues and others where it was a financial hardship -- where the employer wouldn't pay for time spent on jury duty, and there would be lost wages. She said that, by law, we are expected to incur the cost and even dip into our savings as need be. I'm not sure what to think of this, but I can't help but notice that this practice favors the wealthy.

Other

Comment #: CA3017
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Miss Novak is a pleasant light hearted judge but lacks expertise and professionalism. Her demeanor is "sorority girl like" with an ego to match. She rules arbitrarily, but it does seem to be in accordance to her ego being fed even when it's being done so overtly. Her arrogance and/or laziness and/or biases effects her comprehension (Her rulings to the contrary of case laws). I understand Novak's background is not Labor Law and her ignorance showed.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA2869
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Obviously Novak has been writing some of her own reviews. One of the three worst judges in the County. Thinks she is smarter than everyone and has to have the last word on everything. Thinks she is "funny"...and she's not

Other

Comment #: CA2502
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I just served on a jury in Judge Novak's court and found her delightful, fair, and adherent to the law. Where appropriate she injected humor that made the process much less tedious and had me being very diligent during the course of the trial.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA1842
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Novak gets most if not all writ petitions in San Mateo County. I have not filed many--maybe 5 or so. However, this woman will sit on these petitions for over a year if you let her. She just fails to do anything until you make a big deal out of it.

In regard to evenhandedness. I had a motion for return of over $10,000 in property wrongfully taken and retained by police for over 5 years granted by another judge; that judge told the DA and I to work out the order. The DA just refused to return calls and emails; got to point where had to file another property return motion because DA would not comply with judges' order. Second round went to Novak. When I explained my concerns based on DA's prior conduct, she told me to "Stop Whinning." Yes your honor, thank you for granting my motion, for the second time. Should I give the DA a backrub too?

Prosecutor

Comment #: CA1788
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Horrible, miserable, moody, very unhappy person. She's an equal opportunity hater. She hates the prosecution as much as the defense, although she has a clear prosecutorial bias towards holding criminals accountable, which is not necessarily a bad thing. She's just plain miserable, condescending and a horrible person to deal with.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA1747
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Whoever wrote the prior comments is either related to Novak or had something happen to them that no one else has seen in the 5 years Novak has been a judge.

It's not that Novak doesn't suffer fools well, she doesn't suffer anyone well. Flippant, arrogant, lazy, "homer", uh...did I mention arrogant.

In front of his client and other people, Novak accused one of the best defense attorneys in the Bay Area that he had "abandoned" his client, when she had no idea of the facts invovled and was 100% wrong in her analysis.

Novak jacks up offers on trial days dependent upon her "mood". Unless you move in time-not-waived status, you won't get a trial out for over a year.

Worst judge I've seen in this County since started practicing in 1977.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA251
Rating:9.9

Comments:
Former prosecutor who demands her ex-colleagues to be diligent and on top of their cases - she also demands that from the defense. Not afraid to dismiss if she sees a violation of the law. I have done a trial in front of her where she granted an 1118 - based on solid facts and law but one that many others may have denied. She does the one thing that you always want in a judge - she follows the law!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA116
Rating:9.8

Comments:
I recently had a DV dismissal under Judge Lisa Novak, San Mateo County.

Without batting an eye she followed Crawford vs.. Washington and its progeny. She threw the case out because the DA showed lack of due diligence to serve the CW [People vs.Cogswell]

A few weeks earlier, I granted one continuance to the DA. At the morning of trial, Novak refused to give the DA another continuance because "defense is ready to go". DA dismissed.

I found Novak courteous and quite pleasant in chambers. A colleague later told me that Novak follows the law and "does not suffer fools lightly". That's cool.

In Sum: Republican Judge appointed by Arnold throws my DV case out based upon a decision by Scalia. If I lost, the guy would have been deported. I still feel quite good about that morning.