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• Author: Mark Thompson/Elizabeth Smith
• Pages: 956-959

Retired Judges

946Kaiser California Judge Reviews

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KAISER, E. [Erik] Michael

Temperament/Demeanor

Interviewees seem to appreciate Judge Kaiser’s positive

courtroom demeanor. They said, “He’s friendly and profes-

sional,” “He’s calm and deliberate” and “Judge Kaiser is

friendly.” Others basically agreed and opined, “[His tempera-

ment is] very pleasant and professional” and “It’s excellent.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

Interviewees seem impressed with Judge Kaiser’s legal

acumen. Almost all of them described it as either “excellent”

or “above average.” One of them added, “He’s one of the fin-

est civil trial judges in Riverside County.” One final litigator

said, “Judge Kaiser is really sharp.”

On Motions

Most interviewees said Judge Kaiser’s courtroom manage-

ment style is somewhat professional or formal. Their exact

comments included: “It’s very professional,” “It’s somewhat

formal” and “It’s between formal and relaxed.” One final

lawyer expressed a slightly different perspective when he

opined, “Judge Kaiser’s style is somewhat relaxed.” All of

the attorneys said this jurist interacts politely with all who

appear in his courtroom. They also said that Judge Kaiser

usually takes the bench on time. In fact, one litigator said,

“He’s very punctual.”

On Trial

Every interviewee said Judge Kaiser listens closely to attor-

neys’ arguments and keeps an open mind. Two of them added,

“He’ll ask good questions” and “He reads everything you sub-

mit to him.” All of the lawyers interviewed said Judge Kaiser’s

courtroom atmosphere is either “professional” or “comfort-

able.” Although one litigator said Judge Kaiser moves cases at

an “average” pace, most of the others said he moves matters

“faster” than his peers. The latter added that you usually get

enough time to try your case. The interviewees who had done

jury trials with Judge Kaiser said he interacts well with jurors.

In fact, one of them said, “He makes it a very enjoyable experi-

ence for them.” Lawyers also said Judge Kaiser stays reason-

ably open to requests for special jury instructions.

Continuances

Several interviewees said Judge Kaiser is “more likely” to

grant a continuance than his peers. Others opined, “He’s

reasonable about granting them.” One final lawyer said,

“It depends on Judge Kaiser’s calendar and whether or not

granting one will create an undue burden on the court.”

Settlement

A majority of the interviewees said Judge Kaiser is “proac-

tive and has strong negotiating skills.” The remaining attor-

neys said this jurist has “excellent” skills. One of the latter

added that Judge Kaiser “will help if asked.”

Proclivities

Interviewees seem quite impressed with Judge Kaiser’s

overall neutrality. Most of them either opined, “He’s impar-

tial” or “He’s very fair.” One said, “He’s usually fair. Judge

Kaiser tries to rule in a way that will help him avoid being

reversed on appeal.”

Summary

Additional comments include: “Judge Kaiser treats you

like a professional and expects you to act like one.”

Interviewees gave Judge Kaiser high marks for his impartial-

ity, courtroom mien, strong legal knowledge and ability to

move his calendar at an efficient pace. (04H)

KALUSTIAN, Richard P.

Temperament/Demeanor

Attorneys gave Judge Kalustian’s personality mixed

reviews, saying, “He is nice and gracious.” “He is informal.”

“He is very courteous.” “Cowboy mentality.” “He is not cour-

teous.” “He has never done anything in private law practice.

He doesn’t understand lawyers.” “He is an ex-D.A.” “He is

somewhat impatient.” “He is a nice guy. He is a former pre-

siding judge.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

Attorneys do agree that Judge Kalustian is an intel-

ligent, scholarly, and knowledgeable man who undertakes

to continually increase his knowledge. “He is intelligent. He

researches the law.” “He is very smart.” “He is smart, espe-

cially in evidence.” “He is an expert in evidence.”

On Motions

This jurist is reportedly at least average in law and

motion. He is punctual, prepared and interested in the day’s

business. He starts hearings “very much on time.” “He reads

the papers.” Judge Kalustian conducts hearings on motion

at a pace which is comfortable for the attorneys. He report-

edly “allows counsel to talk.” He is known to be “very strict

about following law and procedure.” “His rulings were okay.”

“Decisions were not off-the-wall.” “He is middle of the road

as far as being afraid of being reversed.”

On Trial

Attorneys generally spoke highly of this jurist’s ability

to run a trial. One plaintiff’s attorney cautioned that he

believed the judge moves the proceedings along too quickly,

warning that counsel “better have all the witnesses ready

in the hall for all trials.” However, most attorneys said that

Judge Kalustian does not interfere with their ability to try

their cases. “Allows both sides to do their work.” “Allows the

attorneys to try the case and not help.” “He is lenient in voir

dire. You can get away with a lot.” Attorneys polled reported

that this judge is widely known for being “an expert in evi-

dence.” “He listens to evidence.” “He is good on evidence.”

“Excellent in evidence rulings.”

Settlement

Judge Kalustian has a fairly good reputation for his settle-

ment skills. “In the area of settlement he is fair.” “He is good

on settlement.” “He does try to settle. In criminal cases, he

is good with settlement.”

Continuances

There were no attorneys interviewed who had seen

this judge grant a continuance. They all said that Judge

Kalustian “doesn’t grant continuances.” “No. He does not

allow continuances.”

Proclivities

In civil cases, neither plaintiff nor defense counsel detect

any bias. “He is unbiased.” “No real biases.” “He is generally

fair.” “He is a fair judge.” In criminal cases, one attorney

reported that he believed Judge Kalustian to be sympathetic

to the prosecution. “He is pro-prosecution. If it is a close call

he will call it for the prosecution. He can hammer you if you

lose the case. He will really sentence your client. If he thinks

the offer of the prosecution is too good an offer and too

light of a sentence, that won’t help in sentencing if you lose

the case. He still will give out stiff sentences.” One female

plaintiff attorney reported thinking that this judge is biased

against female attorneys. “You don’t want to be in front of

him if you are a female attorney.”

Summary

Tread lightly if you are a female attorney. See to it that

you have your witnesses ready for testimony. Follow the evi-

dence rules carefully. This is not the friendliest court for a

criminal defendant for either trial or sentencing. (01Z)

KAMANSKY, Craig Stephen

Temperament/Demeanor

Most interviewees shared positive comments about Judge

Kamansky’s demeanor. They said, “He’s personable,” “Judge

Kamansky is friendly,” “[His temperament is] good, even-

handed,” “It’s very informal and relaxed” and “His demeanor

is good but he’s a bit wordy.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

A majority of the interviewees said Judge Kamansky’s

legal acumen is “above average.” Others opined, “It’s very

good” and “It’s average.”

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