The RJ recently sent its election-year Judging the Judges poll out to local attorneys. We're curious as to how attorneys approach this poll. Did you blow it off, or did you sacrifice some billables to fairly evaluate each judge you appear in front of. Did you just rate those judges whom you want off the bench? How did you vote on the elected vs. appointed judges proposition?
Let's try to get a little preview of this year's poll, and some suggestions on how the poll could be improved. Who's a keeper, and who's out? Also, in light of what happened with Judge Walsh last election ... is the poll even relevant? Sound off in the comments.
Judge Connie Steinheimer... worst judge in Nevada for sure.
ReplyDeleteNope, Miley's worse. She should be removed from the bench and then from the state!
ReplyDeleteWorse judge: Mosley. This year, every year. But Doug Smith is well on his way to deserving the title.
ReplyDeleteJudge Gonzalez has got to be the worst. I do not think she could more blatantly argue every plaintiff's case for them, especially when the plaintiff's attorney is some old codger who has been practicing for 100 years but has the knowledge of a 1L.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I actually heard her tell a pro se litigant the other day that she has 15 days to file an opposition under the local rules! How does the presiding civil judge not know that it is 10 days! UGH!
The survey was confusing and too long. I got through a few judges, but eventually just gave up.
ReplyDeleteThe new Clark County e-file system is more user friendly than the "judging the judges" survey by the RJ.
I miss the comments. The RJ stopped printing them because Judges complained. Oh, the fragile self-esteem of the robed ones.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to say I threw the survey out this year. Too busy and just don't give a damn.
As for bad judges, Judge Denton is not a "judge" at all. He's a dishrag. I wonder if that fucker knows how many lives he's ruined because he can't make a decision in a case. Hey, Mark, grow some balls, or maybe you can borrow Stu Bell's balls. The great JUDGE Bell never made you wait. He ruled decisively, for or against, right or wrong, he made DECISIONS.
@10:48 - I don't remember typing that. But you clearly are inside my head, stealing my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSo Miley and Walsh are competing for worst on the civil side. Who are the current worst on the family side? Is Moss still there? How are the newly appointed folks doing?
I voted for appointed judges, although I don't know that I trust the gov. to do a good job with that.
ReplyDelete@9:14 -- Most lawyers, on both the plaintiff and defense sides, is not going to agree with your analysis of Judge Gonzalez.
ReplyDelete9:14 Are you sure that you're not confusing Judge Gonzalez with Judge Vega? Because prior to taking the bench Judge Gonzalez' civil practice was defense oriented and she was a very good and respected trial litigator.
ReplyDeleteIf you disagree with my thoughts on Gonzalez, go sit and one of her civil calendars. See how many times she suggests the answer to the plaintiffs' attorneys or misstates clearly established law. I don't care what she was like as a practicioner. That does not make her a good judge.
ReplyDeleteAs to Judge Vega, you'll get no disagreement with me on that one. She is horrible.
I'm going to leave something positive: I like Johnson (if I've pissed her off, it is usually my fault), Cadish and Delaney. I'm secretly glad that we're not losing Cadish to the federal bench. I hope we get some new judges like her on the bench with the new candidates coming in.
ReplyDeleteI also like Johnson. Always fair and well-prepared.
ReplyDeleteI like Johnson, Cadish and Betsy. I do defense work and I think Betsy does a good job, even when I disagree with her. Vega and Walsh are much worse.
ReplyDeleteIn Family Court...Judge Voy is very slow to make decisions, but is ultimately fair and should be retained.
ReplyDeleteJudge Steel is not up for re-election, but she should be removed any ways. She has no clue what she is doing, frequently violates the law and has the god-like syndrome.
Judge Jones is very, very, very slow to make decisions, but usually gets to the right result.
Filled out the survey but it was better when it was a joint effort by the CCBA and research group (newspaper). The newspaper abused the process by confronting judges with lousy ratings and comments. Surveys won't matter if we get appointed judiciary. It will be impossible to get rid of bad judges with communist retention elections. So the judges won't care about the survey and neither will the lawyers. There are so many bad judges down there but agree with most of the comments posted.The short list of bad ones--Miley,Walsh, Gonzalez and don't forget Leavit. I **** in my pants every time I go to that Department. You never know what is going to happen.
ReplyDeleteJudge Denton works hard and tries hard but is ineffective. Judge Denton creates a process that forces everyone to settle so he does not have to decide anything tough. This is what we pay judges to do--make decisions. Agree with the comments about Judge Stu Bell (not his daughter who also needs to be the short list of bad judges which is getting long). Judge Stu was never afraid to make a decision and just had so much common sense. Judge Bixler is in the same league.
How about Cadish's JEA - what piece of work. Can't think of a more unprofessional member of a court staff in the 8th JD.
ReplyDeleteTotally disagree about Cadish's JEA - that whole department rocks and Cadish should have been awarded with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. She's ruled against me before and I even think she's been wrong on a couple things but she's well prepared, READS what the lawyers submit (how novel) and actually makes every effort to follow the law.
ReplyDelete@11:24
ReplyDeleteHow about Johnson's JEA? She is a condescending, smarmy creep. I wouldn't give her a job squeezing my dog's ass glands.
Like (because they apply the law and facts fairly in civil matters) - Gonzalez, Johnson, Herndon, Earl, and Togliatti, and Delaney
ReplyDeleteDislike - Smith (God, he's horrible because he's lazy), Walsh (just incompetent), Leavitt (doesn't understand law), and Vega (hello vacant stare)
Agree, Smith is a lazy train wreck. I've found Gonzalez to be reasonable, sometimes there is a slant, but at least she's smart. Tim Williams is a train wreck too.
ReplyDelete@ March 1 9:14 a.m.
ReplyDeleteJudge Gonzalez said 15 days because pro pers don't always understand that 10 days does not include weekends. What did she do that pisses you off so much??
The worst of the worst MILEY, WALSH, LEAVITT and VEGA - should be taken off bench. They have no clue on what is going on.
ReplyDeleteDoes attorney Ed "Randy" Miley vote count? We know Stefani will get at least one vote but which way? I hear he is miserable right now and can't get out of it. Owes too much money to everyone and Stefani has hold of his "johnson" really tightly.