March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Courthouse Judge Joseph S. Biderman To Retire:

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph S. Biderman, who presided over a courtroom in Santa Monica, will be retiring in March.

According to Patricia Kelly of the Superior Court’s Public Information Department, 57-year-old Biderman will officially retire March 18, though his last day on the bench was Jan. 31. Biderman was not available for comment.

A graduate of UCLA Law School, Biderman was admitted to the California State Bar in 1981 and was appointed in 2003 to the judgeship by Gov. Gray Davis. Biderman was also a Superior Court Commissioner between 2000 and 2003 and a Municipal Court Commissioner from 1994 to 2000.

In addition to his service on the bench, Biderman was a deputy public defender in Los Angeles and also worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Just before joining the court, Biderman was reportedly associated with Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro, working in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Biderman, who also served as managing counsel of Honda North America, recipient of the Century City Bar Association’s “Municipal Court Commissioner of the Year” in 2000.

During his time on the bench, two cases came through Biderman’s courtroom that gained significant media attention.

In 2001, a former deputy city attorney was discharged from a courtroom presided by Biderman – who was then a commissioner – when the former reportedly made derogatory statements toward the latter.

Biderman took a motion filed by deputy city attorney off calendar because she did not appear at the scheduled hearing on time. According to news reports covering the matter, the deputy city attorney told Biderman’s clerk that the judge “would have to answer to the Creator” for not allowing the motion to be heard.

The matter became the subject of a 2008 opinion published by the California Court of Appeals. The deputy city attorney, Lynn Magnandonovan, filed a claim against the City of Los Angeles. Magnandonovan claimed she was discriminated against by her employer after the incident with Biderman and was initially awarded a substantial settlement.

After the City of Los Angeles filed an appeal, the California Court of Appeals reversed Magnandonovan’s award, with the deputy city attorney’s 2001 interaction with Biderman the central issue in the legal opinion and reversal.

According to the Court of Appeals decision, Magnandonovan accused Biderman of having a “personal vendetta” against her and told the commissioner’s clerk in a telephone conversation he “would be answering to God” for taking her motion off calendar.

The court’s opinion stated, “Commissioner Biderman understood plaintiff’s remarks as a ‘veiled reference’ to his homosexuality” and he “felt sick … [and] personally insulted” by what Magnandonovan said to the clerk.

Five years later, Biderman presided over a request to prevent “Borat” from being released on DVD until a scene was deleted. Two men who appeared in the movie and were captured on-screen making derogatory statements filed the request, according to reports. Biderman reportedly rejected the request.

LASC did not report whether anyone would take over Biderman’s seat or if any other judicial appointments were pending.

The retired judge earned his Bachelors degree from the University of Virginia.

in News
Related Posts

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...

After Securing $200K Grant, City Embarks on Action Plan for Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The City Will Engage Experts, Nonprofit Partners, Commissioners, and Stakeholders to Spearhead the Planning Process The city of Santa Monica...

City Commences Phase 2 of Beach Restoration Project

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Project Will Enlarge the Habitat for Significant Native Species, Including the Federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover Phase 2 of...