Judicial Profile: Department 7
Honorable Barry Baskin
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- Biographical Information
-
- Date of Birth:
- February 23, 1953
- Place of Birth:
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Education:
- Undergrad, grad, law school, degrees and years of degrees. University of the Witwatersrand, Bacclaureus Procurationis, 1978
- Pre-bench Legal Experience:
From 1979, Judge Baskin was the managing partner of the family law firm, Baskin & Partners. His practice consisted of business litigation and family law.
In 1987, he emigrated from South Africa to start a new life away from apartheid, settling in Walnut Creek. He was admitted to practice in California in 1986 joining Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro. He served in the firm’s antitrust and intellectual property group.
In 1989, he joined Farrow, Bramson, Baskin & Plutzik and became a partner in 1990. Until his appointment to the bench, he served as lead trial counsel in the area of complex civil litigation; representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
- Political Affiliation:
- Registered Democrat
- Judicial Experience
- From 1990, he served as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Contra Costa County Superior Court; presiding over civil, criminal, and small claims cases. Judge Baskin’s experience includes serving as mediator, arbitrator and discovery referee. In August 2002 he was appointed to the bench by Governor Davis and since that time has been assigned to Richmond. He has presided over a dozen misdemeanor trials and dozens of preliminary hearings.
- Pre-bench Civic & Professional Activities
For the last 10 years, he served as President of the “Warren Eukel Teacher Trust.” The Trust recognizes and awards four outstanding teachers in the county. Each teacher receives a $10,000 award at a black tie fundraiser hosted by Narsai David and organized by his former law firm.
In 1996, the Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation recognized Judge Baskin for his pro-bono contributions to the community.
Judge Baskin has been a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Consumer Lawyers of California, American Trial Lawyers Association, and Robert G. McGrath Inn of Court. He was a member of the California State Bar’s Local Rules and Procedures committee. He was a probation officer for the State Bar Court, and acted as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association.
- Current Civic & Professional Activities
- Robert G. McGrath Inn of Court. Several judicial committees.
- Courtroom Policies
- Generally rules from bench. Issues written instructions to attorneys on trials.
- Teleconferencing
- Permitted after notice.
- Motions
- Avoid boilerplate.
- Briefs
- Again, avoid boilerplate.
- Discovery
- Attorneys must comply fully with obligations.
- Settlement Conferences
- Judge Baskin is available for settlement conferences.
- ADR
- Not applicable at this time in his current assignment. However, Judge Baskin supports most forms of ADR.
- In Limine Motions
- Comply with the local rules.
- Voir Dire
- If you discuss law, do not stray from instructions.
- Jury Instructions
- Required in advance from both sides.
- Witnesses
- Witnesses need to be available so as not to waste valuable court time.
- Sanctions
- These vary with the circumstances.
- Decorum
- Observed.
- Court Reporters & Translators
- Court reporters are mandatory in all courts. Translators are provided in criminal cases. However, in civil cases, the parties need to arrange for a translator themselves.
- Computers in the Courtroom
- Laptops are allowed.
- Audio-visual
- There is no audio-visual equipment available in the courtroom, but all such technology is allowed.
- Cameras in the Courtroom
- Judge Baskin has not ruled on this as yet.
- Advice
- Be prepared on the applicable law.
