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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Loretta A. Preska (Chief Judge)
District judge
S.D.N.Y.
2nd Circuit
Average Rating:
5.8
-
29
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Loretta A. Preska (Chief Judge)
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
32896
12/3/21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24011
1/2/16
7
6
6
6
5
2
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
5.3
Civil Litigation - Private
20904
1/2/13
10
9
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
8
0
0
0
9.8
Civil Litigation - Private
19905
1/1/13
7
8
7
0
8
6
0
8
0
0
10
0
0
0
7.2
Civil Litigation - Govt.
19513
1/1/13
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
2
Criminal Defense Lawyer
19514
1/1/13
2
2
0
2
5
2
2
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
2.5
Civil Litigation - Private
19085
1/2/12
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Civil Litigation - Private
18953
1/2/12
3
2
4
0
8
2
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.8
Civil Litigation - Private
12938
1/2/11
9
10
10
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.8
Civil Litigation - Govt.
12612
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9747
1/2/10
10
9
9
9
10
10
0
7
0
0
9
0
0
0
9.5
Civil Litigation - Private
7383
1/1/08
8
8
10
10
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.4
Civil Litigation - Private
6776
1/2/08
10
0
9
0
10
10
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.8
Civil Litigation - Private
6185
1/2/08
3
3
3
1
10
1
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.5
Civil Litigation - Private
5665
1/1/08
2
2
2
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.8
Criminal Defense Lawyer
5504
1/2/08
8
5
6
0
7
0
3
8
4
8
0
8
5
0
5.8
Civil Litigation - Private
5451
1/2/07
3
5
3
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.5
Civil Litigation - Private
4318
1/2/07
1
1
6
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
2.3
Civil Litigation - Private
2782
1/2/06
1
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
1.7
Civil Litigation - Private
1690
1/2/06
10
9
8
0
9
9
0
8
0
0
5
0
0
0
9
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
32896
12/3/21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24011
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
20904
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
19905
1/1/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Govt.
19513
1/1/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
19514
1/1/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
19085
1/2/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
18953
1/2/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
12938
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Govt.
12612
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9747
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
7383
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6776
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6185
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
5665
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
5504
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
5451
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4318
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
2782
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1690
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Litigant
22073
1/2/14
1
Other
19512
1/1/13
2
Other
4686
1/3/07
10
Other
4390
1/2/07
10
Other
4186
1/1/07
8
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. Loretta A. Preska (Chief Judge)
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
32896
rating:
12/3/21, 3:45 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
24011
rating:
5.3
Initial impression was that this judge was pleasant and even-tempered. She even displayed a wry, if somewhat sarcastic, sense of humor. Her decisions and rulings, however, displayed a heavy bias towards government/defendant/prestigious law firms or defendants. She overlooked the FRCP and strong-armed the discovery process (and prevented the plaintiff from obtaining basic discovery) to engineer the outcome she desired from a case's inception, which was to grant summary judgment. And she did grant summary judgment. She feels entirely justified in strong-arming the legal process in this way, and employed economic reasons for doing so (i.e., saving costs to the defendants). So, I believe this judge oversteps the mark in civil/employment discrimination cases. I believe Judge Preska is very 'republican' in her outlook and political/social bias and this taints her rulings.
1/2/16, 1:09 PM
Litigant
comment #:
22073
rating:
0
Terrible Judge. She is a total fraud. Does not read papers, fabricates evidence and opinions to to enhance the Government's position. Her decisions do not relate to the issues involved. The FBI loves her and she loves the FBI. They would routinely assign to her all their weak cases knowing they would always prevail in her court. She is totally politically ruthless and was instrumental in prematurely pushing Judge Kimba Wood, an excellent Judge, out of her chief judgeship.
1/2/14, 8:46 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
20904
rating:
9.8
Judge Preska handled a complex international case with great skill. She is a first-rate trial judge with just the right combination of courtesy, professionalism, and toughness. She is one of the best judges that I have practiced before in my forty-year career as an attorney.
1/2/13, 12:39 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
19905
rating:
7.2
Very good at settling cases. Always does it in the § 1983 cases I brought before her. I have never had an employment discrimination case against her, but she really nailed an appeals client who hired me to reverse her (I lost, but it was a bench trial). Prepared her decision before closing argument and called my client liar in open court. It was a close case, but she slammed him unfairly. On the other hand, has been very nice to other clients. A mixed bag.
1/1/13, 11:43 PM
Other
comment #:
19512
rating:
0
She is prejudiced, primitive, calling the suspect terrorist before even knowing about the case or the suspect.
1/1/13, 9:55 PM
Civil Litigation - Govt.
comment #:
19513
rating:
2
This judge pre-prepares her decisions regarding cases before she even hears defense arguments. She is rude to defense council and harsh on defendants. Her venomous statements are a clear demonstration of her bias. Loud and extremely offensive.
1/1/13, 10:03 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
19514
rating:
2.5
Extremely biased and against everything our national credo holds dear. Is everything a judge should NOT be. Her refusal to recuse herself on a case with an obvious bias as her husband is involved is illegal and immoral, and her lack of technical knowledge and pretrail bias and rabid comments in the Hammond case show she should be disbarred. An outrage to our justice system.
1/1/13, 10:34 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
19085
rating:
1
Bad news for plaintiffs - arrogant without the smarts or preparation to back it up. Announces she does not need to be told what is at issue because she has read the pleadings, then demonstrates she has not done so. Makes snap judgements guided by which side she pre-decides to favor. Phony personal style masks a mean-spirited core.
1/2/12, 5:46 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
18953
rating:
3.8
Arrogant, phony pleasant at first, then condescending without the intellect to back it up. Neither insightful nor open-minded. Seems to have her agenda set before hearing from counsel. She seems unhappy.
1/2/12, 4:51 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
12938
rating:
9.8
Very skilled at handling complex cases with deep records. Is very smart, so don't try to get junk past her, you will not succeed. Is not an activist but a fair judge you can count on pretty much to rule based on the law.
1/2/11, 1:11 PM
Civil Litigation - Govt.
comment #:
12612
rating:
0
Chief Judge Loretta A. Preska i am writting this message for the reasons; of filing a civil action is due to malicious prosecution, and false imprisonment under a record of filing on courts system a violation of title 18 usc section 4 misprison of felones; my comment is it a crime to ignor such a report to any judge of any kind of nature, and judge can be find and or even imprison, wherefore it has been seven months since i have heard any thing back on the order to show cause dated febuary 2,2011 the reason i am filing this message is to bring this the concerns of being ignored by your district court sytem persay phone and being put on hold for long periods of time three time i call a day and i am put on hold, please contact me back at my e-mail address on this matter:
1/2/11, 12:19 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
9747
rating:
9.5
No other assigned judge in that venue has taken the time or made the effort to resolve cases like Judge Preska. She was fair to all and straight forward. Smarter than the average judge.
1/2/10, 10:53 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
7383
rating:
9.4
I don't agree that Judge Preska is biased against employment discrimination plaintiffs. I do think that she (like other judges) sees too many bogus ones - after all, claiming discrimination has become a cottage industry. Judge Preska just tries to call 'em as she sees 'em - I think whatever 'sarcasm' she exhibits is refreshing, not offensive. But strong women on the bench will always draw such critics.
1/1/08, 10:51 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6776
rating:
9.8
She has a very low tolerance for BS; wants her cases to move; will try to help parties settle; fun to appear before.
1/2/08, 9:02 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6185
rating:
3.5
Preska is a Fed version of Judge Judy! Prepare your Title VII plaintiff for an appeal from the very get-go. She is pro-employer plain and simple. Summary judgment. If you argue any motion before her, make sure that the argument is fully on the record. Good luck because you are going to need it. The bias is apparent -- she’s both judge and jury and the only thing missing is the executioner.
1/2/08, 7:32 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
5665
rating:
1.8
I don't know Judge Preska very well, but from what I have seen she is not very smart, biased, unfair and intellectually dishonest in her written opinions. Also slow.
1/1/08, 1:40 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
5504
rating:
5.8
Judge Preska is very pleasant and courteous. She is willing to listen and can occasionally be persuaded to the defense side, but she generally finds it hard to rule against the government. Her trial rulings are particularly pro-government. She is not the most scholarly of judges; do not assume she knows the law or the rules of evidence.
1/2/08, 12:02 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
5451
rating:
3.5
We had a civil case before her. She made several improper comments, such as (not verbatim): 'you're only interested in obtaining attorneys fees'; and 'let me hear from the older attorneys'; and more. Fortunately, these comments were not in front of a jury (one was in front of my client). She also has this horrible tendency to be sarcastic, an absolutely improper trait for a judge in my opinion. Finally, coupled with her sarcasm, she makes these awkward facial expressions and varies her voice to give as much effect as possible to her comments. I called several attorneys after my first appearance before her. One sighed right away. Another told me to prepare for appeal whenever I appear in front of her. Finally, a review of summary judgment cases on Westlaw show that she grants summary judgment indiscriminately. Perhaps she is overwhelmed by the number of cases before her, perhaps she is pro-business (she attended a Federalist Society event recently). Whatever the case, I wish judges remembered how important their role is to appear impartial, patient, and fair. I do believe that is in the Code of Judicial Conduct.
1/2/07, 12:34 PM
Other
comment #:
4686
rating:
0
1/3/07, 12:42 AM
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