League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 131

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 Jim Garo Baklayan: Ability to be Fair and impartial Temporary Judge, Los Angeles County, since 2006 Arbitrator/Mediator BBB Civil Litigation attorney since 1997 CSUN, BA 1990 ULV College of Law, JD, 1995 Answer from Maren Elizabeth Nelson: Judge of the Superior Court, January 2009-present Superior Court Commissioner, March 2004-January 2009 Attorney, Morrison & Foerster LLP, 1987-2004 (Partner 1990-2004) 2. Why are you running for Superior Court Judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.) Answer from Maren Elizabeth Nelson: I want to continue serving the people as Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Answer from Jim Garo Baklayan: After hearing and deciding over 300 small claim cases for the County of Los Angeles, during my volunteer work as a temporary judge, I discovered that it was something that I felt honored and privileged to do. I also felt that I had the honesty and integrity to do the job well. 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 Jim Garo Baklayan: My experience as a temporary judge has taught me that in order for people to feel as though they are getting a fair hearing, they need to be heard with patience and respect. I feel that I have what it takes to be a fair, patient, and honest judge. Answer from Maren Elizabeth Nelson: I have served as a Superior Court bench officer for 6+ years. Lawyers interviewed by the Los Angeles Daily Journal in 2005 described me as well-prepared, thorough, reasoned,and calm. Similar comments were made in 2010 to the Metropolitan News-Enterprise. I strive to provide a court where all persons have an opportunity to be heard. 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.