Lisa A. Novak

I have never been involved in court proceedings before this but Judge Nivak has left the worst taste in my mouth. She was extremely unprofessional, unprepared and left everyone with a total lack of faith in the justice system

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.

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