Judicial Profile: Department 31
Honorable Laurel S. Brady

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Biographical Information
Date of Birth:
November 1, 1958
Education:
University of California, San Diego 1976-1980 and graduated with a B.A. in History. From 1984-1988, she attended Golden Gate School of Law
Pre-bench Legal Experience:
Law clerk, Marin Superior Court, Civil Law and Motion; Law clerk, California Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Section
Judicial Experience
10/1996-06/1998 Municipal Court, Richmond — appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson 06/1998 — present Superior Court — elevates by consolidation. Assignments included:
  • 06/1998 - 12/1999 Criminal Trials
  • 2000-2001 Criminal Calendar
  • 2002 Trials
  • 2001-2002 Assistant Presiding Judge and Criminal Trials
  • 2003-2004 Presiding Judge
  • 2005-2007 Criminal Trials
  • 2008-2009 Supervising Judge — Richmond Branch Court
  • 2010 Criminal trials
  • 2011-2013 Civil Fast Track
Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities
District Manager for an office furniture manufacturer. Trade member of AIA, ASID.
Continuing Legal Education Faculty
Faculty member for Continuing Judicial Education and Research (CJER)
Certified Instructor for POST (Police Officers Standards and Training).
Has taught classes on evidence, legal motions, competence to stand trial.
Sits on several education committees and acts as facilitator for various judicial training programs. For CJER (California Judges Education and Research) sits on variety of local court committees including Executive Committee, Budget Commitee, Operations & Security Commitee.
 
Courtroom Policies
Judge Brady will rule from the bench or will issue written orders depending upon the circumstances. Her hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Teleconferencing
For Fast Track Civil Calendar, CourtCall approved for case management conferences. For Law and Motion hearings, parties must fax wirtten request to appear via CourtCall.
Motions
For Civil Fast Track, Law and Motion is heard on Thursdays. (Will be heard on Mondays starting on 6/24/13.) Tentative Rulings are posted on the internet by Wednesday at 1:30 pm. Parties must notify the Court and opposition by 4pm that they wish to argue the tentative ruling.
Briefs
Judge Brady prefers courtesy copies to be delivered to her chambers. She does not appreciate boiler-plate briefs, finding them to be less helpful.
Discovery
For Civil Fast Track, most discovery motions are heard in Dept. after participation in Discovery Facilitator's Program through court ADR.
In Limine Motions
No preferences.
Voir Dire
Judge Brady does a general voir dire with prospective jurors. She allows and believes that attorneys should be permitted to interact with prospective jurors. Depending on the nature of the case, Judge Brady does impose time limitations.
Jury Instructions
Judge Brady requires attorneys to provide her with a checklist from CalCrim and for civil, CASI instructions and requires the checklist by the first or second day of trial. Any special instructions must be written.
Witnesses
Judge Brady requires a witness list prior to the start of trial.
Sanctions
In criminal cases, sanctions are not typically imposed. Judge Brady imposes sanctions under unusual circumstances (such as failure to comply with a direct court order or discovery order). Sanctions can be monetary or other.
Documents
For civil fastrack, attorneys must pre-mark exhibits and have exhibit log for clerk.
Decorum
Judge Brady expects professional courtesy to the court, opposing counsel and to all within the courtroom.
Court Reporters & Translators
In criminal cases, court reporters are mandated. Interpreters are mandated and provided for defendants but not for witnesses (this is the responsibility of the parties). The court provides the court reporter in criminal cases. For civil cases, parties must provide their own court reporters.
Computers in the Courtroom
Judge Brady welcomes the use of computers in the courtroom. Criminal cases, however, do not tend to be as high-tech in presentation as civil cases.
Audio-visual
Judge Brady welcomes the use of audio-visual in her courtroom.
Cameras in the Courtroom
Cameras in the courtroom are within the discretion of the court. Judge Brady requires that counsel comply with notice requirements so that the propriety of cameras can be analyzed by the court beforehand.
Advice
Judge Brady recommends that attorneys be thoroughly prepared and familiar with their cases so they can anticipate issues that may suddenly arise. She also recommends that attorneys get as much training as they can, such as observing experienced attorneys to learn their techniques.

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