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• Author: Mark Thompson/Elizabeth Smith
• Pages: 408-422

G–L

398Jackson California Judge Reviews

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JACKSON, Frank Y.

Temperament/Demeanor

One attorney interviewed about Judge Jackson said, “If

anyone says anything bad about him, they’ve got a problem.

He’s very well-liked,” Indeed, every interviewee offered effu-

sive praise. “He has the perfect personality for someone on

the bench. He has great judicial temperament. I found no

flaws in the man.” “He is a wonderful judge. He’s polite.” He

has “the perfect demeanor to be a judge. He is very respectful

of everyone in the courtroom.” “His temperament is even-

handed.” “He was very professional and courteous. He had

great judicial demeanor.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

Judge Jackson is “extremely smart,” said one attorney,

who noted that he has served as a visiting judge on the

appellate court. Other interviewees said, “He is excellent

on the law. I was very impressed with him.” “His thought

process is logical and linear.” “He’s very knowledgeable.”

One interviewee was impressed with the way Judge Jackson

was able to master the complicated legal issues in a case

that involved arcane issues concerning taxation and water

rights. “It was a complicated case, both in terms of issues

and because it had been going on for decades. He was very

well prepared,” the attorney said.

On Motions

Judge Jackson “listens to both sides” and his rulings “are

very sound,” said one attorney. Another recalled a case in

which Judge Jackson initially ruled ex parte against his cli-

ent’s position, but later, “he was willing to hold an evidentia-

ry hearing and he reversed his own ruling.” An attorney who

tried the complicated case involving tax issues and water

rights was impressed with the way Judge Jackson handled

motions. “He was especially good because he knew what we

were talking about. He didn’t do just a surface reading. He

asked great questions.”

On Trial

One attorney who has had trials and hearings in Judge

Jackson’s court said, “I think he’s straight forward. He

runs a fairly tight courtroom; yet on a more complex

case, he will take time to deal with the issues. All of my

appearances before him have been very satisfactory.” The

attorney recalled one instance that reflected well on how

Judge Jackson handles proceedings in his court. “While I

was sitting there waiting for my case to be called, he had

a very interesting case involving two pro pers. It was an

interpleader case, where an insurance company was trying

to figure out who gets the life insurance proceeds. He took

a lot of time handling it, explaining to the pro pers the ins

and outs of litigating it. He magnanimously referred them

out to the mediation panel with no charges to them, spar-

ing them the cost of filing an answer, letting them mediate

it and try to get it resolved. It was a very judicious way to

handle the case.” Other interviewees also mentioned that

Judge Jackson works well with attorneys. “He gives you

the opportunity to present your case. He’s not curt at all.”

“Judge Jackson is extremely well suited to the bench. He

is patient and, at times, wants to be educated by counsel.”

“He works with the attorneys to move the calendar along.”

“He gave all of the attorneys as much time as they needed.

I especially appreciate it when a judge is very professional

with the attorneys and is not rude and trying to rush it. He

was just excellent.”

Continuances

One interviewee recalled a case in which the opposing

party requested a continuance and Judge Jackson granted

it. “We filed a preliminary injunction motion, and he gave

the defense more time to prepare. I can’t fault him for it,”

the attorney said. “He wanted to show impartiality to both

sides.” None of the interviewees had any complaints about

Judge Jackson’s policy on continuances.

Settlement

Judge Jackson’s flawless judicial temperament, as one

interviewee put it, “really helps when you’re trying to settle

cases or even have a trial. You don’t need someone with a

really big ego trying to show how important he is.” He is not

like some judges who “want everything to settle.” He will “not

do that to our clients,” the attorney added. Another attor-

ney who took a case to trial in Judge Jackson’s court said

he didn’t try to settle it because the case wasn’t at a point

where a settlement could be reached. But the attorney said

Judge Jackson has a good reputation for helping resolve

cases. “I’ve only heard from other attorneys about him [as

a settlement judge] and they’ve all been very impressed,”

the attorney said. A criminal defense attorney added that in

criminal cases, Judge Jackson is not one to reject offers that

the prosecution is willing to make and will “usually just go

along with the deal that the D.A. made.”

Proclivities

Attorneys interviewed about Judge Jackson all agreed

that he is resolutely unbiased. “He’s fair to both sides. I felt

that he was very balanced and very fair.” He is “very fair.”

“You can’t find anything bad to say about Frank Jackson.”

“I’ve been in front of a lot of judges and, in comparison, he

was excellent, maybe one of the best. He was very fair.”

Summary

Most interviewees remarked that Judge Jackson is one

of the best judges they have ever encountered. None had

any complaints. He is “the perfect bench officer,” said one.

Another interviewee said he is “absolutely devoted to making

society better” and is a “true public servant” who gives tax-

payers “their money’s worth.” A third interviewee said, “I was

very impressed by him. He’s an excellent judge and I’m sure

he’ll probably be on the court of appeals someday, which will

be a loss to Lancaster, but that’s the way things go.” (04H)

JACOBS, Harry

Temperament/Demeanor

Interviewees shared high praise for Judge Jacobs’s

courtroom temperament. They opined, “It’s terrific. He’s an

inherently likeable person,” “Judge Jacob’s mien is excel-

lent,” “He’s pleasant and friendly,” “He’s very personal and

compassionate” and “He’s friendly.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

A majority of the interviewees said Judge Jacobs’s legal knowl-

edge is “good.” Some of them even opined, “It’s above average.”

On Motions

Interviewees described Judge Jacobs’s courtroom man-

agement style as “efficient,” “relaxed,” “very efficient” and

“between formal and relaxed.” One lawyer provided a some-

what different perspective when he opined, “[This jurist’s

style is] somewhat formal.” Every litigator interviewed said

this judge is courteous to all who appear in his courtroom.

In fact, one of them even said, “He’s polite to a fault—in a

positive way.” All of the lawyers interviewed also said Judge

Jacobs usually takes the bench on time.

On Trial

Every interviewee said Judge Jacobs’s listens closely to

their arguments and keeps an open mind. A few of the inter-

viewed attorneys described Judge Jacobs’s courtroom atmo-

sphere as “comfortable.” Others said the atmosphere is “per-

fect,” “great” and “attorney- friendly.” Most litigators said that

he moves matters at either an “appropriate” or “average” pace.

Those familiar with Judge Jacobs’s handling of jury trials said

he communicates well with jurors. In fact, one of them even

opined, “He interacts very, very well with jurors.” Most inter-

viewees said Judge Jacobs is either “fair” or “very fair” when

handling his sentencing duties in criminal cases; however,

one of them added, “but he can be tough sometimes.” Other

comments included: “Judge Jacobs is reasonable” and “He’s

very fair and creative [when sentencing defendants].”

Continuances

Interviewees said Judge Jacobs is usually fair about

granting continuances once good cause has been shown.

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