Ethan P Schulman

In hearing a demurrer, called my case "ludicrous on its face". Reversed 3-0 in a published decision.

My case is currently active and assigned to the Honorable Joseph Hite. I first met Judge Schulman in the spring of 2023 when he somehow without me knowing he “volunteered” to mediate a settlement agreement involving what the Tenderloin Housing Clinic swore to was an eviction case that DID NOT involve the defendant (me) owing any back rent at all when the THC filed their eviction case against me in December 2022. I was able to set in his pretty much empty courtroom (4-people, Judge Schulman, the clerk, an attorney and myself) as he pushed 2 other cases along. I was able to watch him in action on the bench for about half an hour or so. I was left thinking that he would be a great judge for a television show... a cross between Judge Judy and Judge Mathis. My case is currently assigned to the Honorable Joseph Hite (whom thus far I'm impressed with). Judge Schulman said he would be acting as a "non-bias" arbitrator. Yet he brokered a backroom deal in August of 2023 with the attorney appointed to represent me in an eviction case, the one and only, Justice & Diversity Director; Attorney Teresa Friend, along with the attorney representing the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, Mr. Howard Olsen without me being present! Then he ran it through on the record getting me to agree. A couple days later Mr. Howard Olsen notified me what it meant and I came unglued! Now, my own attorney, the Justice & Diversity Director, Teresa Friend said that I should just sign it and deal with it later, allowing the THC to now say that I owe over $10,000 in back rent! I have refused to sign off finalizing the agreement. In October or November of 2023, Judge Hite asked the 2 attorneys for an update on the case and was informed that I refused to sign off on their backroom deal. Judge Hite then he sent the case back to Judge Schulman. Judge Schulman has refused to have anything else to do with the matter! Now, my attorney, the Justice & Diversity Director, Teresa Friend, is threatening to quit if I don'

Reviews tend to be love/hate . . . the winner loves the judge and the loser hates him. I strongly disagree with the negative comments below. Although I have been successful before him, I try to give an honest assessment. Judge Schulman was an excellent Law & Motion judge and actually is smart. In my several cases, he actually read the papers, was very familiar with the arguments, and was able to cut through the wall of BS thrown up by opposing counsel. Granted, he ruled in my favor, but he actually followed the law and gave due consideration to the existing federal precedent that governed the cases. If you have a case where the applicable law favors you, you will be happy. If it does not, and you think that you will be able to BS him, you will be unhappy.

This judge does not suffer fools lightly. If he "seems to act like the smartest person in the room," as one reviewer has said, it may be because he actually is. It's important to have confidence in your judge - and, in my view, whether he ruled against or for my client, he was always well-reasoned and correct. He goes out of his way to help move a case along, a breath of fresh air in the court's clogged system.

Temperament is abysmal. Thinks he is smartest person in the room and acts the part. Makes arguments on behalf of counsel even though litigants did not make those very same arguments, basically picking winners and losers apparently on personal preference alone. looks for results and never reconsiders even when blatantly wrong. Thinks prepping for trial might require a "few hours prep." Obviously hasn't practiced law for many years, if ever.