Findorff, Laura Norris 2024 Evaluation

Reports: 

2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)

2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)

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The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 7-0 with three absent that Judge Laura Norris Findorff MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Judge Findorff’s docket includes 10% civil, 50% domestic relations and 40% criminal. Judge Findorff’s overall combined score on the 2024 Judicial Performance Survey was 3.0 out of 4.0. However, the Commission is concerned that the surveys are not helpful because of the less than 3% average response rate to the survey. A large majority of the 12 attorneys and 31 non-attorneys who responded stated that Judge Findorff meets performance standards.  The appellate judges gave Judge Findorff a perfect 4.0 rating. Judge Findorff received scores above 3.0 on case management, communication, and diligence. Her scores on knowledge of the law and demeanor were somewhat lower. Some of the lower scores are likely due to her domestic relations docket where scores are generally lower due to the highly emotional nature of those cases. Comments about Judge Findorff stated that she is very knowledgeable about the law, she is clear and concise, she is patient, pleasant, fair, and respectful of everyone and has a positive but firm demeanor; she runs a smooth docket and explains matters clearly to self-represented parties. Some comments noted that she is too casual in court and allows lawyers to behave in an unprofessional manner. Other comments were that she sets her docket in a manner that requires the lawyers to prepare for trial when it is uncertain if the case will go to trial. In the interview with Judge Findorff, she clarified that she sets her DR docket with notice that one case is set first and another trailing. She believes this is efficient and that counsel are advised at least a week ahead if they will be going to trial. She recognizes that she gets frustrated if time is being wasted in court and that she may allow counsel to argue with her once she has ruled. The Commission has some concerns that Judge Findorff is too accommodating and that this leads to a lack of respect for the Court. However, the Commission finds she is a smart, capable, and hard-working judge who is open to suggestions for improvement. Judge Findorff has no disciplinary history. She has filed her financial disclosures on time.

The Commission interviewed Judge Findorff and several members observed her in Court. The Commission reviewed her self-evaluation and written opinions. The Commission also spoke with the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial District and representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. The Commission found this data more informative than the limited survey responses. 

Judge Findorff was appointed to the Fourth Judicial District Court in March 2021. Prior to her appointment she was a magistrate in the 18^th Judicial District, and she served on the Fourth Judicial District County Court bench from December 2012 until her appointment as a District Court Judge. She obtained her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1988. She has been on the Court Care Board since 2018 and volunteers as a Teen Court judge.