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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Joseph E. Irenas
District judge
D.N.J.
3rd Circuit
Average Rating:
7.1
-
15
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Joseph E. Irenas
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
23074
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22949
1/2/15
5
5
5
5
5
1
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4.4
Civil Litigation - Private
22955
1/2/15
6
4
6
3
6
1
4
7
7
5
6
4
4
5
4.3
Civil Litigation - Private
21010
1/2/13
10
8
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.5
Civil Litigation - Private
13512
1/1/12
2
5
0
6
0
2
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
3.8
Civil Litigation - Private
12957
1/3/11
9
9
10
9
10
10
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.5
Criminal Defense Lawyer
10024
1/2/10
6
8
7
9
8
9
9
8
0
5
3
7
5
5
8
Court Staff
9840
1/2/10
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
5
5
9
9
5
5
9.9
Civil Litigation - Private
8798
1/2/09
7
10
10
10
10
10
10
8
0
0
7
0
0
0
9.6
Civil Litigation - Private
7628
1/2/08
1
5
5
4
10
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
4.3
Civil Litigation - Private
7629
1/2/08
2
9
9
9
10
5
0
2
0
0
3
0
0
0
7.3
Civil Litigation - Private
2972
1/1/06
10
10
10
10
10
9
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
9.8
Civil Litigation - Private
2981
1/1/06
4
5
2
5
9
5
0
3
0
0
5
0
0
0
5
category average
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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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
23074
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22949
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22955
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21010
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
13512
1/1/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
12957
1/3/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
10024
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Court Staff
9840
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
8798
1/2/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
7628
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
7629
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
2972
1/1/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
2981
1/1/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Other
23584
1/2/16
1
Other
10626
1/2/10
10
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. Joseph E. Irenas
Other
comment #:
23584
rating:
0
Judge Irenas was cold and a bully towards me. I was a victim in the case he presided over. He showed no empathy for me or my children in a case that we were helpless to defend. He made me feel as if I had done something wrong, which I did not. I was not on trial , but he made me feel as if I were. I realize these statements are very much after the fact; but it helps my process to express my feelings. My condolences to his loved ones. We have but one life to live... Be kind and empathic because you do not know what others are battling.
1/2/16, 8:59 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
23074
rating:
0
I wrote the very positive comments on Judge Irenas below (Comment 12957). I've read the negative things that were written afterwards, especially concerning his alleged bias against plaintiffs and class actions. The case we tried in his court was a class action. We represented the plaintiffs. At first he was negative about our case, but as he heard the evidence come in, he changed his mind and by the end of the trial he clearly believed in our case. But, throughout the whole time, both when he thought our case lacked merit (he originally dismissed it) and once he was persuaded otherwise, he treated both sides fairly and really strived to understand the arcane legal issues in the case. I've tried about 65 cases to verdict or judgment, including other large class actions. I'd put Judge Irenas right at the top, and I want to remember him for the great work he did, today, on the day of his death.
1/2/15, 10:30 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22949
rating:
4.4
Smart guy. Definitely biased against plaintiffs attorneys. Has his mind made up before you get into the court room.
1/2/15, 3:58 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22955
rating:
4.3
Judge Irenas is even tempered, which is a good thing. You don't want to have a class action with him, and you don't want to be representing a plaintiff, as he is jealous of the big fees that lawyers get, so he tries to prevent this by dismissing all class actions and claims where the plaintiff's lawyers would get a big windfall.
1/2/15, 6:53 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
21010
rating:
9.5
I had a good experience with Judge Irenas. He is sharp, not afraid to speak his mind, and seems to have a knack for getting rid of unnecessary litigation.
1/2/13, 9:20 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
13512
rating:
3.8
Absolutely does not know anything regarding Special Education Code/Law to even apply it. Emotional, hostile, arrogant, biased.
1/1/12, 8:49 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
12957
rating:
9.5
I am an out-of-state lawyer who tried a lengthy, complicated jury trial in his court. He is a very active judge at trial, and does not hesitate to ask probing questions of any witness. His cross-examination of some of the witnesses was in many cases better than mine or opposing counsel's. He is smart and studies the law carefully. He treats the jury wonderfully and they love him for it. He keeps an unusual trial schedule, Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with no breaks for lunch. I loved the trial schedule, as it made it possible to prepare each day without having to reach exhaustion. He will talk a lot with break during motion argument, but does not mind if you interrupt him if you have something to say, as he appears to love the back and forth. He has a strong 'tell' during arguments, motions, and objections: Whenever he talks, he looks at the lawyer who is going to win the argument.
1/3/11, 12:03 AM
Other
comment #:
10626
rating:
0
I worked with Joseph Irenas he was the head of the department I worked in at McCarter & English in Newark NJ. He was an excellent attorney who was revered and feared by his underlings. I am sure he has carried his standards along with him to the bench.
1/2/10, 12:58 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
10024
rating:
8
I have found appearing before him is a challenge of the best kind. He is legitimately the brightest guy in the room.If an attorney offers something, especially in argument, he will not hesitate to verbally probe (or challenge) the limits of the logic proffered.And all should realize this: no matter how outwardly gruff he occasionally seems to be, the bottom line is that he is (in my experience) consistently fair, favoring (with rulings and sentences) neither Government nor defense.
1/2/10, 1:57 AM
Court Staff
comment #:
9840
rating:
9.9
Judge Irenas is an extraordinarily fair judge, who always displays an extremely efficient knowledge of any case he handles.
1/2/10, 4:37 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
8798
rating:
9.6
Brilliant judge, well versed in knowledge of the law...make sure to laugh at his jokes!
1/2/09, 4:23 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
7628
rating:
4.3
Rude, arrogant, and clearly biased. Not a good judge.
1/2/08, 12:37 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
7629
rating:
7.3
His ego gets in the way of what could be a good judge. The end result is something way short of a good judge. Avoid him if you can. If you can't, be sure to approach with great care.
1/2/08, 12:47 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
2972
rating:
9.8
1/1/06, 4:04 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
2981
rating:
5
1/1/06, 5:36 PM
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