Shirley K Watkins

I had the pleasure of coming before Judge Shirley Watkins in a civil matter. Although I am a Plaintiff in the action I am also an attorney with almost 50 years of litigation experience. It is the first time however that I have been a party to a lawsuit. I found the judge to be a “no nonsense” judge. Her Tentative Ruling was well thought out. When she questioned the attorneys in the case you could immediately tell that she fully understood the issues. I read some of the other reviews and I was surprised at the unflattering comments that were written about her. It simply does not make sense to me. I listened to her speak with attorneys for 6 or 7 cases before me. She was fair and knowledgeable. I would gladly go before her anytime but I would be sure to be prepared because she will be! We need more judges like Shirley K. Watkins.

The WORST judge ever. Yells at lawyers. Is as dumb as a rock but thinks she knows it all. Ignores the evidence. Ignores the law. Goes out of her way to screw over any litigant or lawyer she does not like. Will report lawyers to the Bar over nothing. PAPER HER ASAP!

This is a very industrious judge, who wants to make the right call, and will listen - -really listen-- to a lawyer or a unrepresented litigant. I go back a ways: to LASC before the advent of IC judges, when it had seperate discovery judges. I've seen indifferent, mean, out to lunch and abusive judges. This one is none of those. She is very good. Come prepared. Don't take legally or factually frivolous positions. She reads the papers. And she is decisive. I would rank her in the top 5 trial-level judges I have been before over the past 30+ years. The negative comments here are not credible.

Shirley Watkins is corrupt she does not rule according to the law She has to be on the take she demeans and makes People feel belittled WATKINS NEEDS TO BE REMOVED

Not competent to be a judge.

Does not remotely belong on the bench. It's a systemic failure of the government putting her there, and specifically of the Judicial Branch not cleaning house when it has become clear she is incompetent and angry.

Extremely rude and condescending to attorneys. Seems like she wakes up on the wrong side of the bed every morning, I feel really bad for her.

Before Watkins became a judge- unfortunately, she was a practicing trial atty. with specializing in medical mal practice. She appeared to be very aggressive both inside and outside the office. She brings this bad attitude to the courtroom and is extremely "ruff" towards the parties and not cerebral at all. I would highly suggest that if you by chance get assigned to this judge to get yourself a 170.6 immediately. Not a lot to choose from in Van Nuys. It's gone down hill rather quickly. It's a gathering point for bad judges. The good same ones want out.

An embarrassment to the bench and a reflection of declining standards and morals in this country. They make a scummy, low ability, low level personal injury lawyer a Judge??

My name Christopher T. Barone. I wanted to update the situation regarding Shirley's expulsion of my Sister and niece. Watkins was compelled to issue a statement and I appreciate the fact she did because it exposes Shirly for who she really is. There is no happiness in knowing that she boldfaced lied about the exchange she had with my sister and then would double down by saying the record will validate her claims. Sadly, I am going ot believe that she could doctor the record because in case 20VECP00041 someone clearly took a chunk out of the reporters transcripts on appeal. Either way, given the dozens of unlawful decisions by Shirley it would be unwise to not protect yourself when in her courtroom. Thankfully my sister and niece were able to take great notes so great that if the record from the clerk is forged it will validate what many of us already know. I I sincerely hope that anyone left reading this take my advice because your life may depend on a accurate portrayal of events. Take the most accurate notes you can possibly take and make absolute certain those notes leave no doubt should anyone else need to see them. thectb@gmail.com

Revised: I am not a criminal defense attorney: Mr. Christopher T. Barone is my name. I prefer to provide objective reviews under my real name. Today, transparency is uncommon, and nowhere is tyranny more prevalent than in the courtroom of Shirley K. Watkins, Department T, Van Nuys East. Shirly has sealed the courtroom without providing adequate notice to hear arguments. Shirley proceeded to ban court call users, including the four of us, but stated that we were welcome to attend court and observe the proceedings. My sister and niece attended court proceedings as observers. Watkins repeatedly asked them if they were recording. Given the posted signs, it's odd that she needed to ask twice. I have no problem with a judge questioning the public once, but three times? It will not work to intimidate my Sister when you are the size of a smurf. So, following lunch, Shirley inquired of my sister and niece if they were "related to Christopher Barone" My Sister replied in kind not rude "Why are you asking"... Watkins proceeded to inform my sister that she did not like her response, so she immediately ejected them from the courtroom. Shirley's modus operandi has long been oppression. She must be documented and imprisoned for violating the rights of so many individuals. It's sad to consider how far Shirley can violate our rights. Please contact me at thectb@gmail.com.

I have watched these comments for a while it is obvious that there is someone who monitors this website. Anyone who gives her a rating of 10 or anything close to that is a plant. So the criminal defense lawyer is exactly right CA36959 is not someone who has appeared before her.