On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished former Judge James A. Kaddo of Los Angeles County Superior Court for misconduct spanning six years.
The commission found that Kaddo displayed discourteous, undignified, and impatient behavior toward potential jurors, attorneys, and litigants, with actions that suggested bias based on gender, race, ethnicity, or national origin.
The commission highlighted instances where Kaddo addressed women in his courtroom as “young lady,” “lady,” “this lady,” “these ladies,” or “ma’am,” while not using comparable terms for men. He also made remarks implying women were overly emotional, referencing their “feelings” and urging them to “control” themselves. Additionally, Kaddo directed intemperate comments at potential jurors, accusing them of “abusing” him, and engaged in inappropriate disputes with attorneys and parties, including raising his voice and telling a litigant to “shut up.”
Prior disciplinary actions compounded Kaddo’s misconduct. In 2023, the commission issued a private admonishment for his discourteous and demeaning treatment of two self-represented litigants in a small claims case. In 2004, he received a private admonishment for serving on an arbitration committee in a family law matter and lacking candor when questioned by the commission.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
