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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Richard M. Berman
District judge
S.D.N.Y.
2nd Circuit
Average Rating:
6.3
-
14
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Richard M. Berman
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
32762
8/12/19
9
9
9
0
9
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6.6
Civil Litigation - Private
32707
11/11/19
9
9
9
0
9
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
Civil Litigation - Private
25446
1/1/18
1
8
5
5
10
4
6
10
7
0
5
0
3
4
5.6
Criminal Defense Lawyer
24133
1/2/17
8
0
9
0
9
0
9
7
0
0
0
0
7
0
8.8
Other
23953
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22191
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21627
1/2/14
1
1
1
0
7
1
1
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
Criminal Defense Lawyer
11511
1/1/10
8
5
0
0
10
0
4
8
5
8
0
0
2
1
6.8
Civil Litigation - Private
4551
1/2/07
8
4
2
3
4
7
0
9
0
0
1
0
0
0
4.7
Civil Litigation - Private
3632
1/1/07
0
8
10
9
9
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
Criminal Defense Lawyer
3472
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1701
1/2/06
8
8
6
7
8
8
0
9
0
0
9
0
0
0
7.5
Civil Litigation - Private
1102
1/2/06
8
6
7
0
0
7
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
Civil Litigation - Private
1083
1/2/06
8
3
1
0
9
9
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
Civil Litigation - Private
1032
1/2/06
6
3
2
5
8
7
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.2
Civil Litigation - Private
1037
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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
32762
8/12/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
32707
11/11/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
25446
1/1/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
24133
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
23953
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22191
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21627
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
11511
1/1/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4551
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
3632
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
3472
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1701
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1102
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1083
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1032
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
1037
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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. Richard M. Berman
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
32762
rating:
6.6
I had him in an overtime case a few years ago. Unlike many judges, he was always polite and respectful toward counsel for both sides. He made a number of rulings pre-trial, on a motion for partial summary judgment regarding a long list of discrete issues, that were not only correct (and issued quickly) but had the effect of pushing the parties to settle on terms that were fair for the plaintiffs (my clients). I'd be happy to have all my cases assigned to him.
8/12/19, 4:40 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
32707
rating:
9.2
I had him in an overtime case a few years ago. Unlike many judges, he was always polite and respectful toward counsel for both sides. He made a number of rulings pre-trial, on a motion for partial summary judgment regarding a long list of discrete issues, that were not only correct (and issued quickly) but had the effect of pushing the parties to settle on terms that were fair for the plaintiffs (my clients). I'd be happy to have all my cases assigned to him.
11/11/19, 5:22 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
25446
rating:
5.6
Dinesh D'Souza.... enough said.
1/1/18, 6:50 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
24133
rating:
8.8
I disagree with the comment that his adherence to the 'guidelines appears slavish.' Presentence, I was concerned about that comment coupled with his unique rule that Probation may not enumerate reasons for a non-guideline sentence in the PSR. We had him on a plea where there were compelling 3553 factors and he imposed a year and a day on a 30-37-mo. guidelines range. We were hoping (and asked) for probation. While I beleive many judges in the SDNY (and EDNY) would have imposed probation on these facts, it was a fair sentence from any perspective other than a defendant's. He read everything submitted and summarized all the arguments we made even before we had a chance to speak. While my prepared sentencing comments were trashed, I'd rather know the court has carefully considered all matters prior to arriving on the bench. No disputed guidelines issues, so the bottom line -- from a defense sentencing perspective -- is fair, but on the harsher side of the balance beam. But importantly, willing to impose a non-guideline sentence where the facts support same.
1/2/17, 5:36 PM
Other
comment #:
23953
rating:
0
He's great as a Political judge, very loyal to his party affiliation.....
1/2/16, 11:29 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
22191
rating:
0
Perfectly efficient demeanor, cordial and courteous. He seems fair and prepared. All a criminal lawyer could want
1/2/14, 9:24 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
21627
rating:
2
What a bizarre judge this guy is. He spends the entire time on the bench looking in the gallery to see who's watching him, and doesn't pay attention to what the parties are saying. He comes out and chats with his 'audience' before the proceedings. He thinks he's a game show host and not a judge. He seems very erratic and out of touch with reality.
1/2/14, 12:52 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
11511
rating:
6.8
Judge Berman is unfailingly polite and exceedingly self protective. His sentencing for relatively low level criminality seems harsh. His adherence to the guidelines seems slavish.
1/1/10, 10:07 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
4551
rating:
4.7
1/2/07, 2:29 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
3632
rating:
9.2
Judge Berman seems to know the right thing to do. He had no problem overruling an unfavorable R&R from a Magistrate in a recent case to do the right thing. He carefully considered all my objections and ruled on each one with discretion. Clearly not afraid to do the right thing and follow the law.
1/1/07, 4:10 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
3472
rating:
0
My last experience left me wondering why he even wants to be on the Bench. He displayed a complete lack of interest in managing or attempting to resolve the case. Also, his courtroom persona is oddly stiff and unnecessarily supercilious. There was animosity and disdain toward all counsel from the outset. I could not square this persona with the far more engaging (and potentially effective) persona displayed back in Chambers.
1/1/07, 7:29 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
1701
rating:
7.5
a decent,fair judge who pushes for settlements
1/2/06, 1:16 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
1102
rating:
7
1/2/06, 10:49 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
1083
rating:
6
It is close to impossible to get a decision out of him. He appears to be afraid to decide motions and hold trials.
1/2/06, 8:05 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
1032
rating:
5.2
1/2/06, 10:46 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
1037
rating:
0
1/2/06, 10:48 AM
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