## Notes: - Some notes below are incorporated into a general overview of [[How to Behave in Court (Courtroom Etiquette)]] - Be on time and check in with the [[Bailiff|bailiff]] when the courtroom opens. If you are running late, be sure to call the department clerk to inform them. If you do not check in on time, you run the risk of having your matter dismissed especially if it is a [[Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO)]] or a [[Contempt]] hearing. - Do not interrupt Judge Lo when he is speaking. He will always give you an opportunity to speak. - When the other party/attorney is speaking, be respectful. Do not shake your head or make comments even if you disagree. Instead, listen carefully and take mental or written notes of any points you may want to address later. - Speak slowly so that Judge Lo's [[Court Reporter|court reporter]] can create a complete and accurate [[Transcript|transcript]] of the [[Proceedings|proceeding]]. - Do not exaggerate. Stick to the facts and avoid embellishing the truth. - If you are going to make an assertion, be ready to point to some piece of [[Admissible Evidence|admissible evidence]] that supports your assertion. - [[Credibility]] is very important with Judge Lo. Not only does he expect honesty and transparency from all parties involved in a case, but he also values consistency and reliability. ## Profile The Honorable Judge Thomas J. Lo currently serves as a judge for the Superior Court of Orange County in California, having assumed office in 2020. His current term extends until January 8, 2029. Judge Lo was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on April 28, 2020, to replace Judge Kim Garlin Dunning. Judge Lo won re-election in 2022, securing his position outright in the nonpartisan primary on June 7, 2022. Judge Lo earned his Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law at Westcliff University. His career spans various roles, including service as an associate at multiple law firms and as a deputy public defender. From 2001 to 2020, Judge Lo served as an assistant public defender for Orange County, prior to his judicial appointment. Despite the nonpartisan nature of California Superior Court elections, Governor Newsom's press release in April 2020 identified Judge Lo as a Democrat. Judge Lo was inspired by his father, a Chinese immigrant, who was a significant influence on him. His father had opened a market in Maywood, and Judge Lo recalls, "He was a very kind man. I wanted to give something back to the community, like my father did." This deep sense of responsibility to help others influenced Judge Lo’s decision to become a public defender, a role he fulfilled for 23 years. Judge Lo has handled notable cases, including a high-profile family law matter involving a Mission Viejo dermatologist, Dr. Yue "Emily" Yu. In this case, Judge Lo extended a temporary restraining order against Yu amid allegations that she poisoned her husband, Dr. Jack Chen, with Drano. Chen produced video evidence leading to Yu's arrest. Judge Lo denied Yu’s request to visit or communicate with her children, upholding the restraining order. The case attracted significant media attention due to the severity of the allegations. ## Career Timeline: - **2020-Present**: Judge, Superior Court of Orange County - **2001-2020**: Assistant Public Defender, Orange County Public Defender's Office - **1999-2001**: Associate, Hatton, Petrie & Stackler - **1999**: Associate, Cooksey, Howard, Martin & Toolen - **1996-1999**: Deputy Public Defender, Orange County Public Defender’s Office - **1992-1996**: Associate, LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames - **1992**: Associate, George & Shields - **1992**: Associate, Law Offices of Gerald Schubert - **1991**: Law Clerk, Lanak & Hanna ## Sources: - [Trellis, "Thomas J. Lo"](https://trellis.law/judge/thomas.j.lo) - [Ballotpedia, "Thomas Lo"](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Lo) - [Daily Journal, "Van Halen fan Judge Thomas Lo likes to help," December 13, 2021](https://dailyjournal.com/judicial_profile/10023) - [KFI AM 640, "Judge Extends Restraining Order Against Doctor Amid Poisoning Allegations," August 18, 2022](https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2022-08-18-judge-extends-restraining-order-against-doctor-amid-poisoning-allegations/) - [OC Bar Association, "Governor Newsom Appoints Robert Gerard and Thomas Lo as Superior Court Judges"](https://www.ocbar.org/All-News/News-View/ArticleId/3827/Governor-Newsom-Appoints-Robert-Gerard-and-Thomas-Lo-as-Superior-Court-Judges) #Judge #Judicial-Officers #Judicial-Officers/Orange-County #Orange-County #Orange-County-Judicial-Officer #Orange-County/Orange-County-Judicial-Officer