Judge Alison M. Mackenzie

Judge Alison M. Mackenzie serves on the Los Angeles Superior Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, having been appointed by Governor Jerry Brown on July 23, 2018. Her appointment places her within a cohort of Brown-era judicial appointees known for their selection through a structured gubernatorial vetting process. The available public record documents her presiding over two notable matters: a Little Tokyo fire lawsuit that reached a $1.26 million settlement in May 2025, and the trial stemming from the deadly 2018 Trader Joe's shooting, which proceeded to trial in November 2023. These two cases reflect exposure to both civil tort litigation involving municipal or property liability and high-profile criminal proceedings with significant public interest dimensions. The data available on Judge Mackenzie is limited to biographical and case-level information without ruling analyses or attorney observations. As a result, detailed characterizations of her judicial philosophy, motion practice preferences, or courtroom demeanor cannot be drawn from the current record. What is established is that she has handled complex, high-stakes matters on both the civil and criminal dockets, and that her cases have attracted media attention, suggesting familiarity with managing proceedings under public scrutiny.

Given the absence of ruling analyses and attorney observations, attorneys cannot rely on established behavioral patterns when preparing for appearances before Judge Mackenzie. The prudent approach is to treat every appearance as one before an unknown judicial officer and prepare accordingly: thorough briefing, clean record citations, and no assumptions about predispositions. The two documented cases — a civil tort settlement and a high-profile criminal trial — indicate that Judge Mackenzie has experience managing complex, multi-party or high-stakes proceedings. Attorneys in civil matters should be prepared for a judge who has overseen litigation through to resolution, including settlement. Attorneys in criminal matters should be aware that she has presided over a trial of significant public and media interest, which suggests comfort with managing courtroom decorum and procedural rigor under scrutiny. Until more granular data is available from ruling analyses or attorney observations, the safest strategy is to present well-organized, thoroughly cited arguments, maintain professional courtroom conduct, and avoid relying on any assumed tendencies. Attorneys should monitor future rulings in this judge's courtroom to build a more refined picture of her preferences.

• critical

  Research Recent Rulings Through Court Dockets

  No ruling analyses are currently available. Attorneys should independently review LASC docket entries for Judge Mackenzie's courtroom to identify recent motion outcomes, scheduling practices, and any standing orders before appearing.

• critical

  Review Any Standing Orders or Local Rules

  Check the Stanley Mosk Courthouse and LASC website for any department-specific standing orders issued by Judge Mackenzie. These govern formatting, meet-and-confer requirements, and hearing procedures.

• important

  Prepare for Rigorous Courtroom Decorum Standards

  Given her experience presiding over the high-profile Trader Joe's shooting trial, Judge Mackenzie has managed proceedings under public and media scrutiny. Attorneys should maintain strict professional conduct and procedural compliance.

• important

  Anticipate Settlement-Oriented Case Management in Civil Matters

  The Little Tokyo fire lawsuit resolved in a $1.26 million settlement under her supervision. Civil litigants should be prepared for active case management and potential judicial engagement around resolution.

• important

  Consult Colleagues With Recent Appearances

  Because no attorney observations are in the current dataset, attorneys should seek informal intelligence from colleagues who have recently appeared before Judge Mackenzie to supplement the limited available record.

• ›Maintain strict professional conduct; Judge Mackenzie has presided over high-profile, media-covered proceedings and enforces courtroom decorum accordingly.
• ›Arrive prepared with thorough record citations; her case history reflects management of complex, fact-intensive matters where procedural precision matters.
• ›Comply fully with any department-specific standing orders, which should be obtained from the LASC website prior to any appearance.
• ›Be prepared for active judicial engagement in civil matters, as her docket includes cases that proceeded through to settlement under her supervision.