Richard Y. Lee

Below comments are accurate and consistent with his bullying, defensiveness and irrational need to become combative whenever someone even raises an issue with his ruling while trying to argue their case. Not a temperament suitable as a judicial officer.

Judge Lee seems knowledgeable. But he is a bully who talks very unprofessionally to most of the people in his courtroom. Arguably, this could be driven from a desire to speed an overloaded docket along, but I've seen other judges handle similar dockets without being rude and nasty. For this reason alone, he should not be a judge.

Can be fine except should an attorney make a request or contradict him even so subtlety something kicks in his brain and he becomes a combination of hostile and defensive, and as described below a bit of child like bully, inexplicable but he does it in open court if his mood catches him.

Judge Lee is a bully of the worst sort. He receives joy from belittling attorneys in his courtroom. I have been in his courtroom on many occasions. I've been an attorney for decades and have practiced all over the state and have never seen such explicit arrogance. He requires attorneys to submit to his intellect as well as his whims before granting them relief that is afforded by the code, not his benevolence. He angers easily, and uses insults and demeaning interactions to "teach" younger attorneys. He makes the most routine interaction one that he has to "win" by 1) pointing out his own intellect by identifying other (but not better) options or 2) displaying utter frustration, despite the attorney presenting the best and most thought out presentation. He thinks he is doing a good job because his conduct goes unchecked (watch the attorneys on Zoom who are not arguing for their reaction). If you have to appear in his courtroom, be ready to suck up in order to move your case along for your client. There is no place for this jurist in our profession, it is disappointing to see this type of bully elevated to the honorable position of judge.