Two Important Judicial Races : Here is the first of The Times’ endorsements for L.A. Superior Court

Here are endorsements in two judicial races for Superior Court--two choices that are on all ballots in Los Angeles County. The Times will have further recommendations for Superior Court in the coming days.

Office No. 2: Terry B. Friedman: Three strong candidates vie for this office. Robert Schirn is an accomplished prosecutor with extensive experience in criminal law. John Moriarity has been a respected practicing attorney for 33 years. Terry B. Friedman is stepping down from the state Assembly in order to run for this office.

Our nod goes to Friedman. In addition to his eight years in the Legislature, his distinguished background includes service as a lawyer at the Western Center of Law and Poverty and as executive director of legal services at Bet Tzedek. Although experience as a prosecutor, such as Shirn has with the special crimes division of the Los Angeles district attorney’s office, is very useful for a judge, it is not the only desirable preparation. Friedman, a well-liked and accomplished legislator, has demonstrated that he has the patience, fairness and compassion to be an excellent judge.

Office No. 51: Judge Irving Shimer: The choice here is clear. In 12 years on the bench, the incumbent, Judge Irving Shimer of Beverly Hills, has earned a reputation as a knowledgeable, hard-working and fair jurist. Not everyone, however, appreciates his frequent courtroom sarcasm or eruptions of impatience and self-importance. (Shimer concedes he is not the most tactful of judges but says he is never tyrannical and has never cited any lawyer for contempt.) He is the author of widely used legal guidebooks and is active in state legal organizations.

His challenger is Stuart H. Hirsh, an attorney who says his mission is to lead a revolution to oust judges like Shimer. Earlier this year, the State Bar Court recommended that Hirsh be suspended from the practice of law for “multiple acts of misconduct,” including misappropriating clients’ funds. The court conditioned his reinstatement on his seeking psychiatric treatment. Hirsh has appealed the ruling and is challenging the bar court’s constitutional authority to discipline lawyers. We endorse Shimer.