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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Thad Heartfield
District judge
E.D.Tex.
5th Circuit
Average Rating:
7
-
9
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Thad Heartfield
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
9974
1/2/10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Court Staff
9976
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9979
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9980
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9647
1/2/09
10
8
8
7
0
10
0
6
0
0
3
0
0
0
8.6
Civil Litigation - Private
6953
1/2/08
10
10
10
5
10
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
7.9
Criminal Defense Lawyer
2500
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
1543
1/3/06
3
1
1
1
3
0
1
5
10
10
0
10
10
4
1.7
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
9974
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Court Staff
9976
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9979
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9980
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
9647
1/2/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6953
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
2500
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
1543
1/3/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
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-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Other
2496
1/2/06
9
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. Thad Heartfield
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
9974
rating:
10
Extremely Fair. Does expect lawyers to come prepared to Court. Very hard worker; well versed and respectful. Seeks pure justice in all civil and criminal proceedings.
1/2/10, 2:28 PM
Court Staff
comment #:
9976
rating:
0
Judge Heartfield treats all the lawyers in his courtroom with a great deal of respect while expecting them to be prepared and knowledgable. He also treats criminal defendants with respect and empathy. If an attorney perceives him as unfair, it is a reflection of that person's skills and not a reflection of Judge Heartfield's actual practices.
1/2/10, 3:59 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
9979
rating:
0
I can think no few federal judge who rivals the integrity and intelligence of Heartfield--on any bench, anywhere. Since he was in solo practice before taking the bench, he both gives and commands respects from the lawyers in his court. Additionally, he does not shy from complex litigation. Were it not for Heartfield's tackling of Texas Instruments v. Hyundai's semiconductor patent litigation ten years ago in a little-known town called Marshall, Texas, there would be no patent docket at all in this district (of course, Ward took the baton), with hungry defense lawyers roaming the streets panhandling after tort reforming themselves out of a job. As for the post on this string about Heartfield being 'intellectually dishonest,' I couldn't disagree more. Having handled many cases in his court, I find his opinions well-written, well-researched, and intellectually compelling--and I've had him issue summary judgments against me, too. Just because I lost doesn't mean it's because Heartfield was intellectually dishonest. Maybe my case just sucked (it did). Ask any criminal lawyer who knows this district: 'Before which judge would you most like your criminal defendant to appear for sentencing?' The answer will unaminously be Heartfield who does sincerely feel for those before him--parties and lawyers alike. I wish we had more like him--and we do, right here in Beaumont.
1/2/10, 5:17 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
9980
rating:
0
Always fair to parties. Expects much of attorneys but is mindful of the physical, mental and financial stresses of legal practice. High ethical standards. Great sense of humor!
1/2/10, 5:36 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
9647
rating:
8.6
1/2/09, 7:44 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6953
rating:
7.9
1/2/08, 1:58 AM
Other
comment #:
2496
rating:
0
Great judge
1/2/06, 12:40 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
2500
rating:
0
The previous posting (2496) adds little to this website. We'd like to see more detailed analysis and anecdotal information. Therobingroom.com
1/2/06, 1:11 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
1543
rating:
1.7
Intellectually dishonest. Finds facts he wants to find, regardless of the evidence, on pretrial motions. A bench trial before him is a slow plea of guilty.
1/3/06, 12:55 AM
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