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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. William S. Duffey, Jr.
District judge
N.D.Ga.
11th Circuit
Average Rating:
3
-
30
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. William S. Duffey, Jr.
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
25414
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
24898
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24593
1/2/17
0
2
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.7
Other
23427
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Court Staff
23080
1/2/15
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22284
1/1/15
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Civil Litigation - Private
22165
1/2/14
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Other
21993
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21994
1/1/14
1
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.5
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21875
1/2/14
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
10
1
10
10
1
1
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21911
1/2/14
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21655
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
18560
1/2/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
13768
1/1/12
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Criminal Defense Lawyer
12700
1/1/11
1
5
5
6
10
0
1
1
0
1
0
10
10
0
4.7
Civil Litigation - Private
11717
1/2/10
1
4
4
2
10
3
0
2
0
0
7
0
0
0
4
Civil Litigation - Private
11578
1/2/10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
9
0
0
9
0
0
0
10
Other
11632
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
11547
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
11496
1/2/10
1
5
2
5
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
10
9
0
2.8
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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
25414
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
24898
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24593
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
23427
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Court Staff
23080
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22284
1/1/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22165
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
21993
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21994
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21875
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21911
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21655
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
18560
1/2/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
13768
1/1/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
12700
1/1/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
11717
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
11578
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
11632
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
11547
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
11496
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Other
19156
1/1/12
1
Other
11856
1/2/10
1
Other
11466
1/2/10
1
Litigant
11403
1/2/10
1
Litigant
9267
1/1/09
1
Litigant
5823
1/2/08
10
Other
5429
1/2/07
5
Litigant
5024
1/2/07
1
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. William S. Duffey, Jr.
comment #:
32927
rating:
2/11/22, 5:04 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
25414
rating:
0
So glad Duffey is retiring (e.g., cashing out and collecting his full salary for doing no work in return). At least litigants won't have to face his irrational rulings. And to answer the question below as to why he was so 'nice' when he was sitting by designation on a court of appeals: Because he was in front of his superiors and out of his element. Watch how he acts when in his own court room and doesn't have anyone looking over his shoulder.
1/2/18, 7:41 PM
Other
comment #:
24898
rating:
0
I don't get it. I sat through three oral arguments this week in Miami where the judge sat as a panel member. He was polite, well-prepared, patient, asked thoughtful, perceptive questions, and worked well with the other panel members. I was with four other lawyers. They all felt the same way. the three cases were criminal and civil. I did not see any of the negative qualities complained about with this judge. I was expecting a horrible experience, and the judge was a pleasure to appear before, and I do not think there was anyone in the courtroom who felt differently.
1/2/17, 11:32 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
24593
rating:
2.7
How can you look at statistics in a civil case about racial discrimination at tv networks and say there's no proof? Ask for a photograph of the entire staff, count the black and brown faces...you don't have to be a judge to figure this one out. FAIL.
1/2/17, 5:29 PM
Other
comment #:
23427
rating:
0
Jekyll and Hyde personality. Narcissistic. Can't keep an employee for very long, has had two law clerks leave in the same year, never completing their terms. Has gone through several JA's. Not one has lasted more than 3 years. Says a lot.
1/2/16, 12:41 PM
Court Staff
comment #:
23080
rating:
1
Micromanages courtroom and staff. Lacks grace. Lacks management skills. Inflexible. Tyrant.
1/2/15, 4:24 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
22284
rating:
1
Clarence Darrow once said, “The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything.” He certainly described Judge Duffey.
1/1/15, 10:31 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22165
rating:
1
A sanctimonious hypocrite.
1/2/14, 9:06 AM
Other
comment #:
21993
rating:
0
Just an angry, arrogant man. Not what we need on any bench, in any classroom, or place of worship.
1/2/14, 7:36 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
21994
rating:
5.5
1/1/14, 7:08 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
21875
rating:
1
A smug, haughty, self-righteous man who is more interested in rebuking and insulting lawyers than in doing justice. His sanctimonious personal attacks are reminiscent of Kenneth Starr. He should write a book on 'confirmation bias' because his decisions are a shining example.
1/2/14, 1:30 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
21911
rating:
1
Judge Duffey is a political appointee. W made him a judge to reward him for going after the Clintons in Whitewater. So it's no surprise that this man is as partisan a Republican as they come. What is surprising is what a terrible judge he is. He's not a thoughtful, principled conservative. He's just a man with his own biases who now is in a position to make his biases the law. He lacks a judicial temperament: he has no interest in thoughtfully and fairly weighing the issues. Instead, he makes up his mind about a case almost immediately, and refuses to let the facts or even the law stand in his way. And watch what happens if you challenge him -- he loses his cool, goes out of his way to demean you (taking advantage of the fact that it's not a fair fight -- few lawyers have the stones to actually tell a federal judge that he's being an asshole), and will punish lawyers and litigants who refused to kowtow and 'admit' that the judge is always right. He's really not very smart. True, he has the veneer of intelligence, but push a little and you realize he makes decisions based on anecdotal evidence, gut feelings, and whether or not he can relate to you. So watch out if you're not an old, white, military man who worked at a big law firm or a corporation and made a lot of money. Anyone else, and Bill Duffey just doesn't understand you and won't bother to try. He reflexively sides with those like him. Very dangerous in a judge. He cares most about getting cases dismissed quickly, probably to clear his docket. He'll find any excuse to dismiss a case, regardless of the merits. He tends to side with corporate defendants and law enforcement. And he can't write -- his long, rambling opinions rarely show any deep thinking or insight, and none are original. (I've had two cases before Duffey and in both, the opinions he wrote were way too long to say very little that mattered. I guess we should be thankful -- he'll never be elevated to be an appellate judge.) But the scariest thing about Duffey is that he is a real threat to the constitution. When it comes to the 4th amendment, it doesn't even exist in his mind. He will side with law enforcement no matter what. Any civil rights plaintiff that draws Bill Duffey as the judge might as well just drop the case. You will not win or even get your day in court. And separation of church and state? Pffft. Duffey quotes scripture from the bench. Criminal defendants? Expect long sentences -- Duffey goes out of his way to impose sentences greater than the prosecutors even ask for. He says he's doing God's work. Watching this man in action really makes you depressed that he has a lifetime appointment. Atlanta is stuck with this monster -- for many years we'll still have him unnecessarily berating people from the bench and standing in the way of justice. He's hated by the entire bar and you'd be hard pressed to find ten people kind things to say about him. Even the other judges can't stand him, and openly talk about what a jerk he is. One told me that 'the legal community of Atlanta know just what he is' You'd almost feel sorry for him if he hadn't ruined so many people's lives. A miserable man out to make everyone else miserable too.
1/2/14, 3:37 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
21655
rating:
0
With regard to comment #11578: the comment above was written by the judge himself.
1/2/14, 8:49 PM
Other
comment #:
19156
rating:
0
This Bush era judge abuses power in his court room against pro se litigants. He is pro government and pro corporation in the courtroom all the way. He is more than likely a racist and also has a strong dislike for for the disabled. This judge has lawyers who handle criminal and civil cases stating how bad a judge he is. For More Information See Lawless America The Movie.
1/1/12, 10:15 PM
Other
comment #:
18560
rating:
0
Hardworking and thorough. That being said, he is the most arrogant human being I have ever met. Just plain cruel.
1/2/12, 7:44 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
13768
rating:
1
I have NEVER seen a judge like this is 35 years practicing law.
1/1/12, 6:26 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
12700
rating:
4.7
This is one of the most arrogant self centered jurists I have ever had the misfortune of appearing before in over 40 years of practice. He is harsh and hateful toward defendants and their counsel. He is a disgrace and should be relegated to social security disablity cases.
1/1/11, 9:27 PM
Other
comment #:
11856
rating:
0
Horrible horrible Judge, very prejudice and arrogant. If he doesn't like your case he will attempt to throw it out of court, and if your pro se you better be on your toes. He shows a strong dislike for the underdog; especially the poor. He truly dishonors the words 'and justice for all'
1/2/10, 8:24 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
11717
rating:
4
1/2/10, 2:59 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
11578
rating:
10
In a world of self-important pretenders, Judge Duffey is one of the few who has the character and personal integrity to acknowledge his demeanor issues, to apologize personally (even where not necessary), and to vow to do better. Moreover, this judge is a very smart person from a distinguished background, who (unlike many on the bench) has sacrificed financially to serve his country. Lawyers who are so quick to criticize others would do well to look in the mirror, and ask themselves how well they would/could do in the difficult role of a federal judge.
1/2/10, 2:09 AM
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