For reprint rights or to purchase a copy of your Daily Journal photo, email Jeremy_Ellis@dailyjournal.com for prices or call 213-229-5424.

To buy more copies, call 866-531-1492 or email subscribe@dailyjournal.com
This is the property of the Daily Journal Corporation and fully protected by copyright. It is made available only to Daily Journal subscribers for personal or collaborative purposes and may not be distributed, reproduced, modified, stored or transferred without written permission. Please click "Reprint" to order presentation-ready copies to distribute to clients or use in commercial marketing materials or for permission to post on a website. and copyright (showing year of publication) at the bottom.
Subscribe to the Daily Journal for access to Daily Appellate Reports, Verdicts, Judicial Profiles and more...

Aug. 28, 2025

Judge Michael O'Gara balances efficiency with empathy in debt collection court

With thousands of self-represented defendants facing garnishment and levies, the L.A. County Superior Court's new San Fernando collections judge insists on notice and patience.

Read more about Michael O'Gara...
Judge Michael O'Gara balances efficiency with empathy in debt collection court

Michael O'Gara

Los Angeles County Superior Court

Career Highlights: Elected Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, Nov. 4, 2008; deputy district attorney, Los Angeles County, 1991-2008

Law School: Southwestern University School of Law, 1990
See more...

SAN FERNANDO - In Los Angeles County's collections courts, where dockets are crowded with credit card lawsuits and debt-buyer filings, Superior Court Judge Michael J. O'Gara has become known as a steady and approachable presence.

Now assigned to the San Fernando Courthouse--one of two collections hubs in the county along with Norwalk--he presides over calendars that are both high-volume and deeply consequential. More than 90% of defendants before him are self-r... (continued)

To continue reading, please subscribe.
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!

Or access this Judicial Profile for $85
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this Judicial Profile. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)

Already a subscriber?

Enewsletter Sign-up

By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. You can learn more about how we use cookies by reviewing our Privacy Policy here.