Valerie L. Baker, Now she's a Federal Judge, was SM Courthouse Dept. L

[Underdog]

Valerie L. Baker, now Valerie Baker Fairbank, Courtroom 9, U.S. Central District (Federal Court) Was West Dist. SM Courthouse Dept. L Civil

I have mixed feelings. She's a very nice lady. Sometimes I think she just doesn't get certain "sophisticated arguments or technical", but overall, she makes the right decisions. I think she is a "how does it feel judge", smell test, that type of juror. Now that I think about it, that is pretty much how must Republican/Conservative judges are. They are not bad, but just not very creative or think about the nuances of the law, or what the words mean as opposed to how the words affect someone. But like I said, is is very nice, and recently, I think she has gotten much nicer than she was in the early 90's as a civil trial judge.

[Trish]

Valerie L. Baker, West Dist. SM Courthouse Dept. L Civil
Baker is simply hot and cold. She will be all sweet and nice and you will think she's the greatest judge you can have, then she will turn around and bite you. She will read you the riot act about wasting court and county time and money rather then simply listening to the reason the proof of service was not filed or whatever. I've seen her just crucify attorneys who have tried their best to get something served, or a default processed, and do not seem to be at fault.

I've seen her make some off the wall decisions like dismissing a case where the parties have stipulated to contractual arbitration but a lis pendens is recorded which requires the case to stay active. After a couple of cases with her, and observing her, I'd ding her. She also seems very pro corporate.

[The Underdog]

:) I also used to have mixed feelings observing this judge, but for the past year or so she has been so nice, I can't get enough of her.

I have not had a trial to completion but observing her give nice detailed rulings, explaining her reasoning is very reassuring. My friends who have had trials complement her. In fact, I think she may on occassion be changing from a insurance defense sort of lemming to sometimes helping out an underdog here and there.

The only explanation I have is she is nearing retirement and wants to curry favor with the lawyers who may use her for mediation or arbitrations. Hell, she has been so nice to me I'll probably try her out!

One more thing, her court room is always so quiet it is scary. What evern is more scary is there is one case which every time I've been in her court room is also on calendar with my case. It's starting to freak me out. :eek:

[Perfect Pitch]

I just read in the Daily Journal that Valerie Baker was nominated by Bush to replace Consuelo Marshall on the USDC, Central District. I agree with the other posters that she is definitely pro-business (and she obviously pleases the White House in that respect). I don't find her the worst judge out there but she's certainly not the best judge and would not be my first pick to go the the federal bench. My biggest gripe with her is that she frequently loses sight of the forest for the trees, tending to get bogged down in the details, overlooking the big picture. She also is very stubborn and will stick to a tentative ruling even if its proven to be wrong. I further agree with the comments that she runs hot and cold--sometimes she is very pleasant but other times she is curt and impatient. I can't say that I'll miss her if and when she leaves for downtown:rolleyes: .