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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Katherine Polk Failla
District judge
S.D.N.Y.
2nd Circuit
Average Rating:
8.8
-
9
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Katherine Polk Failla
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
32641
1/1/19
10
10
10
10
8
10
0
8
0
0
10
0
0
0
9.7
Other
31249
1/1/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
31070
1/2/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
25386
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
24046
1/1/16
10
10
10
0
10
0
10
0
5
5
0
5
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
23098
1/1/15
0
0
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
22642
1/2/15
10
9
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
8
0
0
0
9.8
Civil Litigation - Private
22119
1/2/14
0
0
1
1
10
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
3.3
Civil Litigation - Private
21278
1/2/13
9
10
10
10
9
10
0
8
0
0
8
0
0
0
9.7
category average
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Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating
Fam
Par
Qu-Arg
At-Arg
Sch
Cri
Civ
Lab
Imm
How familiar are you with the work of this judge? (1=Not at all familiar,10=Extremely familiar)
Participates in Oral Argument (1=Rarely,10=Always)
Quality of Questions During Oral Argument (1=Poor,10=Extremely insightful)
Attitude during oral argument (1=Consistently inappropriate,10=Consistently respectful)
Scholarship as reflected in Opinions (1=Poor,10=Outstanding)
General Inclination in Criminal Appeals (1=Strongly ProGovernment,10=Strongly ProDefense)
General Inclination in Civil Rights Appeals (1=Strongly Pro-Defendant,10=Strongly ProPlaintiff)
General Inclination in Labor Law Appeals (1=Strongly ProEmployee,10=Strongly ProEmployer)
General Inclination in Immigration Appeals (1=Strongly ProImmigrant,10=Strongly ProGov.)
evaluator
ID
date
Fam Par Qu-Arg At-Arg Sch Cri Civ Lab Imm
Civil Litigation - Private
32641
1/1/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
31249
1/1/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
31070
1/2/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
25386
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
24046
1/1/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
23098
1/1/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22642
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22119
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21278
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
category average
-
Temp*
Sch*
Indu*
Comp*
Punct*
Ev-Cv*
Ev-Cr*
Flex
Bail
Crim
Settle
Trial
Sent
Coop
Temperament (1=Awful 10=Excellent)
Scholarship (1=Awful 10=Excellent)
Industriousness (1=Not at all industrious 10=Highly industrious)
Ability to Handle Complex Litigation (1=Awful 10=Excellent)
Punctuality (1=Chronically Late 10=Always on Time)
Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation (1=Demonstrates Bias 10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation (1=Demonstrates Bias 10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Flexibility in Scheduling (1=Completely Inflexible 10=Very Flexible)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pre-Trial (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Civil Settlement Discussions (1=Least Involved 10=Most Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
Typical Discount Off Guidelines for Cooperators (1=10% 10=100%)
comments1
Comments:
What others have said about
Hon. Katherine Polk Failla
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
32641
rating:
9.7
Erudite, compassionate, powerful and temperate. Judge Failla is a just judge,fairness,contemplation, and honest pragmatism characterize her judicial approach to litigation. She speaks softly but carries a big stick made of lightning. Know the facts of your case, like you know your name. know the applicable laws pertaining there to and for heaven's sake don't try to pull one over on her or make clearly hopeless arguments. That is unless you like by judicial lightning.
1/1/19, 4:19 AM
Other
comment #:
31249
rating:
0
Lazy judge....did not want to clear her docket....she sat on a case for 8 months and copied the defenses argument almost verbatim......she allowed a foreign company to come to the US and commit securities fraud....crime was committed under US soil....judge is corporation friendly...look at her track record....she favored opioid manufactures...disgusting!
1/1/19, 11:36 PM
Other
comment #:
31070
rating:
0
This judge enabled a Canadian company to rob US shareholders. The judge actions allow any company to use the NYSE to raise money and take it from themselves. This judge failed to recognize this as well as the fact that the company robbed thousands of US citizens of millions of dollars. This will be continued elsewhere though.
1/2/19, 11:01 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
25386
rating:
0
Judge Failla is a formidable judge who commands respect in her courtroom. Very hard working and knowledgeable and tries her utmost to make legally sound decisions. Judge Failla presided over a jury trial in which I was the plaintiff's attorney. It was like undergoing 'lawyer boot camp!' Be warned, however: when she sets a deadline, she is very loathed to extend it.Judge Failla is very courteous to court staff and jurors, but cracks with the whip with attorneys who she deems to be insufficiently prepared and/or not as knowledgeable or as experienced as she would like them to be. I detected some favorable predisposition towards the large law firm(s), but unfortunately this is common and to be expected given that most judges come from that background.
1/2/18, 6:40 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
24046
rating:
10
I was quite impressed with Judge Failla's demeanor and compassion during a recent plea. She was well prepared, thoughtful and courteous. Her staff as likewise kind and helpful. There was no doubt however that Judge Failla was not one to mess with. She commanded a presence in her courtroom that showed she was in complete control. There was no bias whatsoever towards the Government or the defendant.
1/1/16, 2:44 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
23098
rating:
10
Her background may be primarily criminal, but she displays better knowledge of the applicable law in the civil cases I've had before her than most judges with civil backgrounds. It's obvious she comes incredibly well prepared--you can't slip anything by her. She's fair. Just don't ask for extensions. When she gives deadlines, she means them.
1/1/15, 9:14 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22642
rating:
9.8
Truly brilliant! I tried a case before Judge Failla last year. She was extremely well prepared. It was clear she read every deposition and reviewed every exhibit carefully. Her demeanor was always pleasant and she anticipated issues before they arose. Judge Failla also gave careful thought to all the legal issues that were presented and was not afraid to admit she was wrong about her first inclination to rule. Her humility and dedication to getting it right make her welcome addition to bench. It won't be a surprise if she is quickly elevated to the Circuit.
1/2/15, 10:24 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22119
rating:
3.3
Civil Litigation - Private She is very well prepared but very bias and pro large corporate and anti small business houses. Likes to throw out cases at summary judgments even if there are evidence for jury trial in complex civil cases. Lack experience for complex civil cases as she was a criminal lawyer.
1/2/14, 1:52 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
21278
rating:
9.7
I appeared, along with my defense team, before the Honorable Katherine Polk Failla in a civil matter. The defense team and I have over 50 years’ worth of experience combined in the federal court system. We have tried over fifty federal cases; therefore, we believe that our comments about this judge are accurate and worthy of note. Throughout our civil trial, Judge Failla conducted her courtroom with extreme professionalism and expertise, as if she had been on the bench for decades. It was obvious that Judge Failla intently reviewed each party’s motions, as evident from her thoughtful, legally analytic, and factually precise decisions. While we did not prevail on every motion, she provided valid reasoning for her decisions and always abided by the true letter of the law. Judge Failla knows the Federal Rules of Evidence by heart, and applied them fairly to both sides. This judge is prepared and has an amazing ability to comprehend the facts and apply them to the law; hence, preparation before this court is a must. It is also important to know the details of the facts and law surrounding your case. She is a very stern, but fair, judge. I would advise counsel appearing before Judge Failla to be professional and follow the court’s local and individual rules. If you are not prepared, this judge will know immediately. Therefore, my advice to all lawyers appearing before this court is to diligently prepare, because this court will appreciate your preparation. If you are not prepared, then you will be doing a disservice to yourself and your client, and you will be exposed for your lack of knowledge of your case and/or of the law. Overall, it was a pleasure to have a case before Judge Failla.
1/2/13, 10:52 AM
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