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• Author: Mark Thompson/Elizabeth Smith
• Pages: 820-825

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UHLER, Ingrid A.

Temperament/Demeanor

Interviewees seem impressed with Judge Uhler’s courtroom

temperament. They said, “It’s good,” “It’s appropriate,” “It’s

great,” “[Her demeanor is] very good” and “it’s correct, good.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

Interviewees seem to respect Judge Uhler’s legal acumen.

Two of them opined, “It’s above average.” Others said, “She’s

very knowledgeable” and “She’s very bright.” Other comments

included: “[Judge Uhler’s legal acumen is] superior” and

“She’s has strong legal knowledge and is as sharp as a tack.”

On Motions

Interviewees described Judge Uhler’s courtroom manage-

ment style as “comfortable,” “excellent” and “between formal

and relaxed.” Others opined, “[Her style is] very efficient.

She commands her courtroom very well” and her style is

“efficient. She runs a good, tight ship.” Every lawyer inter-

viewed said this justice is always courteous. In fact, one of

them said, “She’s extremely polite.” Members of the bar said

compared to her peers, Judge Uhler usually takes the bench

on time. In fact, one of them opined, “She’s always on time.”

On Trial

Every interviewee said Judge Uhler listens closely to their

arguments and keeps an open mind. One of the interviewees

went further said, “She listens too closely sometimes! And

she keeps an open mind.” Some lawyers said this jurist’s

courtroom atmosphere is “comfortable.” Others described

Judge Uhler’s courtroom atmosphere as “pleasant and very

comfortable,” “professional, civil and collegial” and “pleasant,

comfortable and professional.” Nearly all of the interviewees

said Judge Uhler moves cases at an “appropriate” pace. One

attorney even said, “She moves cases faster than the other

judges, but you have enough time to try your case.” All of

the lawyers interviewed said Judge Uhler interacts well with

jurors. As two litigators put it, “They love her” and “She

does great with jurors.” More than half of the lawyers said

this jurist handles her sentencing duties in a “fair” manner.

Others said, “Judge Uhler is very fair” and “She’s conserva-

tive [when sentencing defendants.]”

Continuances

Nearly every interviewee said Judge Uhler is “reasonable”

about granting continuances once good cause has been

demonstrated. In fact, one of them said, “Judge Uhler is

very reasonable.”

Settlement

Two interviewees said Judge Uhler “has good skills and

will help [lawyers negotiate aspects of their cases] if asked.”

Others opined, “She’s a fair, straight-up negotiator with good

skills,” “Judge Uhler’s got average” negotiating skills and

“[This justice is] very proactive and has very strong skills.”

Proclivities

Nearly every interviewee either said Judge Uhler’s rulings

and decisions are “fair” or “very fair.” One final litigator said,

“Judge Uhler is extremely fair.”

Summary

Additional comments included: “Judge Uhler is extremely

predictable—which is good” and “She’s one of the finest judges

I’ve ever met. I’d like to try all of my cases in front of her. She

really knows how to handle complex cases.” Interviewees have

high regard for this judge’s legal knowledge, courtroom demean-

or and courtroom management style. They all also stressed the

basic fairness of most of her rulings and decisions. (01G)

ULFIG, Cynthia L.

Temperament/Demeanor

Attorneys interviewed about Judge Ulfig were in general

agreement that some attorneys like her and some don’t. One

interviewee called her “pompous.” Another said, “I would

fall in with the group that doesn’t like her very much. I get

along with her. I wouldn’t quite say she’s pompous. But I

don’t like her sentencing in DUI cases.” A third interviewee

said, “I’ve heard the gamut about Judge Ulfig. I personally

get along very, very well with her. I’ve heard about things,

but not having seen any of those things, I can’t say anything

negative about her. As far as personality, I haven’t ever had

any problem with her. She has always been polite with me.”

Others said, “My experience with her is not that extensive.

But my impression of her is that she is very professional,

very pleasant.” “When people are critical of her, I think

they’re critical because she has a belief that we have limited

time, and sometimes it may appear that she is too disci-

plined. We defense lawyers are pathologically unwelcoming

to harsh discipline. Sometimes she’s been accused of being

too stilted. If your intention is good, sometimes the process

may be a little harsh, but it’s necessary.” One lawyer recalled

trying a case in Judge Ulfig’s court when he was new to the

bar and severely botched the case. “Despite it all, she was

very patient and extremely professional. I have nothing to

say negative about her in that regard. Since then, I have had

a couple of matters which were rather uneventful and she

was very straightforward.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

The interviewee who was critical of Judge Ulfig’s demean-

or also asserted that “she thinks she’s smarter than the

little she knows. She’s a lightweight judge that thinks she’s

a heavyweight judge. That’s about all I can say. I don’t have

anything to say that’s complimentary.” Other interviewees

had no complaints, though the attorney who complained

about her DUI sentencing equivocated, “She certainly has

the experience to be a competent judge.”

On Motions

Some defense attorneys say Judge Ulfig is excessively

prosecution-oriented. One, who otherwise had favorable

views of the judge, saw a hint of that in one case. “On a sup-

pression motion, I thought she gave a little too much latitude

to the police officer.” But two other defense attorneys said

she has been reasonably fair in her rulings on motions. One

lawyer said, “She has always been very polite. She has lis-

tened. I can’t say that I’ve always agreed with her decisions.

But there have been times when she has ruled in favor of

the defense. She has granted some motions for me and has

dismissed charges for me, maybe not as many as I’ve asked

for, but that’s always the case for defense lawyers.” The other

lawyer said, “I appeared before her in a preliminary hearing

involving a gang-related homicide. It’s pretty hard to believe

that a former deputy D.A., who was in the office for more

than 10 years before being appointed to the bench, would

have the backbone to throw out a gang enhancement in a

case that was not a gang case. Usually a judge would say,

I’ll hold it over and then you people work it out in the trial

court. But she threw it out, much to the surprise of every-

body. I thought it was the right call and it would have been

sustained if the People had appealed it. But it takes a lot of

guts. She’s willing to get rid of garbage in a case. She will

make the call the way the ball crosses the plate and that’s

really all I want. If it’s a strike, she’ll call it a strike. If it’s a

ball, she’ll call it a ball. She’s secure enough to offend any-

one if she feels she’s doing it for the right reason.” Another

attorney added, “My experience with her is that she’s careful

before she opens her mouth.”

On Trial

Judge Ulfig “prefers to run her courtroom in a non-waste-

ful manner and therefore receives some criticism,” said one

attorney who likes her, offering one reason why others might

not. “I don’t particularly like someone who has a regimented,

federal-like courtroom because it’s too stilted and sometimes

maybe she’s been accused of that. She has rules that say,

this is what you’re supposed to do. But I don’t think it’s for

ego enhancement or narcissistic reasons. I think it’s simply

her desire to utilize time as efficiently as possible. I don’t

find that a reason to criticize her.” The attorney added that

Judge Ulfig “lets you try your case” and “clearly understands

what is involved in trying your case.” According to the attor-

810Uhler California Judge Reviews

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