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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Smart Voter
Los Angeles County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 117


The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Reason for Running, Experiences and Personal Qualities

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

? 1. Please provide a brief list of your qualifications in bullet format, using an asterisk (*) to represent a bullet. (No more than 25 words for this section.)

Answer from William Mitchell Margolin:

♦Litigation Attorney Mediating/Arbitrating/Trying hundreds of cases making thousands of court appearances for 20 years. ♦ Dedicated to upholding the law: with fairness; without bias.

Answer from Pattricia M. Vienna:

♦ Employs common sense and fairness when resolving legal disputes; ♦ Attorney-at-Law for 24 years; ♦ Volunteers as a Temporary Judge in Los Angeles.

Answer from Alan Schneider:

To protect the community from violent criminals, promote justice, and ensure due process so the innocent are not wrongly convicted. Website: Schneiderforjudge.com.

Answer from Tom Griego:

  • LA Criminal Prosecutor

  • UCLA, BA, 1980

  • CSULA, MPA, 1984

  • Whittier Law School, JD, 1990

? 2. Why are you running for Superior Court Judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.)

Answer from Tom Griego:

I am ready to lead and manage a court room with compassion, mercy and fairness to all who participate in the administration of justice.

Answer from William Mitchell Margolin:

I always wanted to be a Judge helping society - settling matters by negotiation or trial & marshaling the wrongdoers. I want to make a difference. I want to stop crime/negligence/ bigotry/ bias.

Answer from Alan Schneider:

I am fair, ethical, and reasonable. For 15 years, I have prosecuted society's most violent criminals, while maintaining a reputation for honesty and fairness. Therefore, judges, prosecutors, the defense, and the police all believe I have the experience to preside over trials and the judgment and knowledge to make the right decision.

Answer from Pattricia M. Vienna:

When people walk into a courtroom confused, anxious and intimidated justice cannot be served if that person is too frightened to speak. The ability to understand and have sensitivity to an individual's quest for justice is paramount.

? 3. What experiences and personal qualities best equip you to serve as judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.)

Answer from Pattricia M. Vienna:

A judge must have good listening skills, calm demeanor, sense of fairness and a working knowledge of the law and procedures. Possessing all of the above qualities uniquely qualifies me to sit as a judge.

Answer from William Mitchell Margolin:

I am: upbeat, thoughtful, optimistic, creative, and flexible person, honest with integrity; I react after reflection, using alternatives; A "Clarence Darrow " type, not turning persons in need away. Motto: "punishment should fit crime". I follow "the golden rule"(and others should, too).

Answer from Tom Griego:

With a combined 25 years of prosecuting crimes; advocating for LAPD; representing the insured; defending employee rights; protecting LA City's financial interests; advising on issues of governance, democracy and participatory government; directing voter registration drives, and working to provide child care for LA County employees I have acquired the necessary judicial temperment.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Until 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010, candidates for Superior Court Judge must limit their answers to 100 words total for all questions so that a paper Voters Guide may be published. Specific word limits are as follows: 25 words for question 1; 75 words total for questions 2 and 3. After 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010, word limits will no longer apply.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.


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Created: August 20, 2010 21:38 PDT
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