Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sidebar: Judicial Honor Roll

Last week's Sidebar had many reminiscing about good times with Judge Gates. So we'll stick with a judicial theme this week.

Who is your favorite judge and why? (Don't worry, we'll ask for your least favorite at some point in the future. But honestly, without the drama of Halverson, it seems that everyone hates the same person in civil again. And the same person in family court is still around.)

Instead, tell us the good stuff. Does the judge actually seem to read AND understand the pleadings? Do you get the sense that the judge's eyes show confidence instead of a vacant, sometimes, panicked stare? Did the judge know about (dare I even say it) cases and precedent? Little things like, the law and civil procedure go a long way.

Of course, this isn't limited to the district and family court. Feel free to cheer about your favorite federal or muni judges too.

25 comments:

  1. I am crazy in love with Judge Delaney. Due to some scheduling problems, I had to sit through her entire calendar one day and she is not afraid to make a decision. I saw her granting summary judgments, granting 12(b)(5) motions and denying motions to amend. (And they all seemed to be for good reason, not just because it is cool to go against the crowd.) She is really well prepared and knows her stuff. I voted for Scann, and I have to say that I am not at all disappointed in Delaney.

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  2. Potter is an amazing Family Court judge. I'm going to be honest, he scares the crap out of me and he doesn't take any b.s. But he is well-prepared and gets it done.

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  3. Judge Duckworth in family court. The Honorable Judge Duckworth. I don't know a damn thing about what he's like as a judge. I just know that name is AMAZING.

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  4. Cadish. Well prepared and makes good decisions.

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  5. As far as family court, Judge Duckworth is a great judge. I like Potter as a person, but he does not have a great judicial demeanor - his fuse is very short. And as always, Judge Sanchez is awesome.

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  6. Judge Gonzalez - cuts through the crap and straight to the central issue. She is always prepared and refers to exhibits constantly. She also remembers what went on prior hearings better than the attorneys do. But if you don't have your act together it is pretty tough to BS her.

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  7. I recently had a good experience with Bixler, but it was my first hearing with him, so I don't know if it is his usual way of doing things. He reminded me of Jones in Fed. Told us what he thought and then it starts from there. Not a basic recitation to be had.

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  8. Ritchie seems like a really good chief judge. I appeared in front of him for an objection on an RAR. Really adheres to the law and the standard of review.

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  9. DC - Denton, Gonzalez, Earl, Togliatti

    Family - Ritchie

    Federal - All of them in the south, including magistrates

    But have to say, very impressed with Gonzalez. She cuts through the crap, gets to the issue, and reads all of the briefs.

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  10. Fav's are Cadish & Gonzalez, for all the opposite reasons that Denton & Leavitt are the worst.

    Though, I am a huge fan of Daddy Bell (that is how I like a Courtroom to run, quick, smooth, competent). I wish he had never left, but he is doing great things in mediation.

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  11. Agreed that Daddy Bell is a good mediator, as is Floyd Hale. Haven't heard anything good about Maupin, but everyone seems to like Porter.

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  12. @ 10:17

    Disagree that Denton and Leavitt are the same. I think you are suggesting that Leavitt reads documents, but doesn't understand how to apply the law. Denton is a smart judge, applies the law, and is extremely fair.

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  13. I stand corrected in that regard. Denton is great to deal with, courteous, excellent courtroom. He does not belong in business court, he doesn't get it half the time. Leavitt is a good criminal judge, but she is a wench to virtually everone that enters her courtroom. It is so unnecessary. They are not the same, except that they are both my least favorite.

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  14. Herndon.

    Smart, fair, on top of things. All the stuff you thought a judge would be before you ever went to a courtroom.

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  15. Gonzalez because she's prepared and smart. I don't always agree with her rulings, but she's doing the work. Douglas Smith scares me a bit, but my appearance may have been an exception - he seemed completely unprepared and unfamiliar with the procedural posture of the case. There was no sign that he'd read the papers.

    In federal all of them, with the possible exception of Mahan, who's a nice guy but is too reluctant to make dispositive rulings.

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  16. Judge Saragossa in the Justice Court deserves a shout out here. She clearly reads every brief and motion put in front of her and she is amazingly patient and fair with pro se litigants. She also moves through her docket like a swiss clock, which I love.

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  17. I agree with most of the comments here. But I would also include Judge Johnson, she's definitly not afraid to grant Summary Judgment, very comptent and has very good grasp of the law of civil procedure.

    As for Michelle Leavitt being a good criminal judge, I guess that depends on what side of the aisle you're on. Although I still hear stories about how great Myron was from the old timers.

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  18. I would prefer Judge Wall over any of the business court judges. Judge Gonzalez is where you want to be if you have a strong case, and Judge Denton is perfect if your case is a little weak.

    Judge Adair is extremely smart and quick witted on the bench, and Judge Barker is the best new judge.

    We cannot forget the Hottie.

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  19. You can't EVER put the word 'good' in front of Judge Leavitt. She sucks & not in a good way, well she may do that too, but it would be her only good quality.

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  20. Herndon and Susan Johnson are my favorites.

    Walsh and Leavitt leave A LOT to be desired.

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  21. Federal

    Dawson and Leen

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  22. I really like Villani. Very fair and knowledgeable.

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  23. 8:33 - Villani? Really? He's among the worst. He doesn't let counsel make a record, settling instructions is a complete nightmare and he's far from fair. I'd rather be in almost any other courtroom.

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  24. Leavitt is probably the worst judge imaginible. Brain-less and petty. She is truly a disaster.

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  25. Johnson is great. She is not afraid to make the tough rulings. Corey appears not to want to make a ruling. Denton is good most of the time; but I agree that in business court he sometimes makes rulings without considering the long-term effect. Smith is a bit off-the-cuff, but has worked in my favor thus far. Wall is consistent and, in my view, applies the law soundly.

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