Judge Craig Richman

Judge Craig R. Richman sits on the Los Angeles Superior Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. According to a February 2025 Daily Journal profile, his approach on the bench is characterized by empathy and understanding toward those appearing before him. This characterization represents the primary documented insight into his judicial temperament available from public sources. Judge Richman's public record includes a 2013-2014 incident in which he was charged with battery arising from a dog-waste dispute and was acquitted at trial in February 2014, after which he returned to the bench. In January 2026, a case before him involving a third-party gag order imposed on Microsoft received coverage from the Metropolitan News-Enterprise, indicating his docket includes complex civil matters with significant procedural and constitutional dimensions. The available data on Judge Richman's ruling patterns, motion practice preferences, and courtroom procedures is limited. Attorneys should treat the confirmed characterization of empathy and understanding as a meaningful signal about courtroom demeanor and advocacy approach, while recognizing that detailed behavioral patterns cannot be drawn from the current data set.

The sole confirmed characterization of Judge Richman's judicial philosophy — empathy and understanding — comes from a credentialed legal publication, the Daily Journal. Attorneys should frame arguments in ways that humanize their clients and address the real-world consequences of the relief sought. Abstract legal arguments untethered to human impact are less likely to resonate with a judge whose documented approach centers on empathy. The January 2026 Microsoft gag order matter demonstrates that Judge Richman handles procedurally complex civil litigation involving third-party rights and First Amendment-adjacent issues. Attorneys appearing on similarly complex matters should be prepared for substantive engagement with procedural nuance and third-party standing questions. Thorough briefing on the scope of judicial authority in such contexts is warranted. Given the limited ruling data available, attorneys should invest in direct courtroom observation before any significant hearing before Judge Richman. Reviewing the Metropolitan News-Enterprise coverage of the Microsoft matter and any subsequent filings in that case may provide additional insight into his procedural expectations and analytical framework.

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  Conduct Direct Courtroom Observation

  With no ruling analyses or attorney observations in the data set, firsthand observation of Judge Richman's courtroom before any significant hearing is the most reliable way to assess his procedural preferences, argument tolerance, and demeanor.

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  Frame Arguments Around Human and Practical Consequences

  The Daily Journal's confirmed characterization of Judge Richman as empathetic and understanding should directly inform how briefs and oral arguments are structured. Lead with the real-world impact on your client and affected parties.

• important

  Research the Microsoft Gag Order Matter

  The January 2026 Metropolitan News-Enterprise coverage of the Microsoft third-party gag order case before Judge Richman is a documented source of insight into his handling of complex civil procedural issues. Review that coverage and any available court filings from that matter.

• important

  Prepare Thorough Procedural Briefing on Complex Motions

  The Microsoft gag order matter signals engagement with nuanced procedural and third-party rights questions. On any motion involving non-party rights or jurisdictional scope, provide comprehensive briefing rather than relying on summary arguments.

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  Review Daily Journal February 2025 Profile

  The Daily Journal profile is the primary documented source on Judge Richman's judicial philosophy. Obtaining and reading the full profile text will provide the most complete available picture of his self-described approach to the bench.

• ›Treat all parties and witnesses with visible respect — a judge characterized by empathy will notice and respond negatively to dismissive or combative conduct toward opposing counsel or witnesses.
• ›Be prepared to address the human and practical consequences of your requested relief, not just the legal technicalities, consistent with the documented empathy-centered judicial philosophy.
• ›On procedurally complex matters, demonstrate command of the full procedural record; the Microsoft gag order matter confirms Judge Richman engages substantively with procedural nuance.
• ›Do not assume informality — the Stanley Mosk Courthouse is a high-volume urban courthouse and professional courtroom decorum is expected.