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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Keith P. Ellison
District judge
S.D.Tex.
5th Circuit
Average Rating:
9.6
-
31
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Keith P. Ellison
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
28824
1/1/18
9
8
9
9
10
7
0
9
0
0
2
0
0
0
8.7
Civil Litigation - Private
24865
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24129
1/2/17
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
10
Other
23259
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22225
1/2/14
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
22058
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21477
1/1/14
10
10
9
10
10
9
10
9
10
5
0
3
2
4
9.7
Civil Litigation - Private
21481
1/1/14
10
10
10
10
9
10
10
10
10
5
5
5
3
4
9.9
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21482
1/1/14
9
10
9
9
9
0
10
9
5
2
0
5
3
3
9.3
Civil Litigation - Private
21019
1/2/13
10
10
10
9
10
9
10
9
0
0
9
0
0
0
9.7
Civil Litigation - Private
18279
1/2/12
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Civil Litigation - Private
13840
1/1/12
9
7
8
8
7
6
0
9
0
0
3
0
0
0
7.5
Civil Litigation - Private
13290
1/2/11
9
10
9
10
10
9
0
9
0
0
9
0
0
0
9.5
Civil Litigation - Private
12967
1/1/11
10
10
10
9
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
9.8
Civil Litigation - Private
12671
1/2/11
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
5
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
11930
1/2/11
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
11471
1/2/10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
10500
1/1/10
10
10
10
0
10
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Govt.
10240
1/1/10
9
10
10
10
9
10
10
7
0
0
3
0
6
0
9.7
Civil Litigation - Private
10078
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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
28824
1/1/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24865
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24129
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
23259
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22225
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22058
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21477
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21481
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
21482
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21019
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
18279
1/2/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
13840
1/1/12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
13290
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
12967
1/1/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
12671
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
11930
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
11471
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
10500
1/1/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Govt.
10240
1/1/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
10078
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Other
13293
1/2/11
10
Other
11374
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. Keith P. Ellison
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
28824
rating:
8.7
Judge Ellison is both a learned and kind gentleman, in the literal sense of the word. He is considerate of everyone in his courtroom and dispenses justice with mercy and kindness.
1/1/18, 4:25 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
24865
rating:
0
It is disgusting to me that Ellison protects the crimes of the US Government against its citizens, by denying the opportunity of justice 'in his court.' FACT - Ellison gets his paycheck from the same government that he protects!!!!!! Laws are for keeping citizens in line, NOT for keeping a government honest. [Redacted by Ed.]
1/2/17, 3:14 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
24129
rating:
10
Judge Ellison is a rare combination of razor sharp intellect, genuine commitment to follow the law, and true concern for the parties, counsel, and jury who are fortunate enough to find themselves in his courtroom.
1/2/17, 12:54 PM
Other
comment #:
23259
rating:
0
A truly temperate and compassionate human being. In this land of overincarceration, we simply need more people like him on the bench.
1/2/16, 1:23 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22225
rating:
10
The comments are all on point. Judge Ellison is brilliant, kind, and incredibly sharp. It is an honor to appear before him. The Southern District of Texas is lucky to have him.
1/2/14, 4:05 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22058
rating:
0
1/1/14, 11:48 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
21477
rating:
9.7
He is probably the most learned judge in Houston. He is certainly the judge who cares the most about the members of the Bar, and about Bar/Bench relations. He is almost too nice a person to be a judge. This is a man who takes his job seriously, and agonizes over sentencing.
1/1/14, 5:20 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
21481
rating:
9.9
Combine an unbelievably good judge with an unbelievably good human being, and you have Judge Ellison. A better human being has never put on a black robe.
1/1/14, 5:23 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
21482
rating:
9.3
This judge is a true gentleman. It is always a pleasure to appear in his courtroom. He is not beholden to either side, and is a welcome change from many judges who are merely an annex for the U.S. Attorney's Office. He calls the case right down the middle. There are no gifts to the defense during the trial -- he really calls it down the middle and is as fair as the day is long.
1/1/14, 9:33 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
21019
rating:
9.7
1/2/13, 3:51 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
18279
rating:
10
One of the best around--thoughtful, smart and quick.
1/2/12, 1:00 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
13840
rating:
7.5
One of the kindest and most knowledgeable judges one could ever meet. Unfortunately, he sometimes rules on dispositive motions with his heart rather than his head and so rules in favor of plaintiffs with sympathetic, although not necessarily legally supportable, claims.
1/1/12, 2:53 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
13290
rating:
9.5
Judge Ellison is extremely open minded and does not make up his mind before considering all the facts and the law. He is also one of the few federal judges who has the courage to re-consider a ruling in light of new case law and then make the right decision.
1/2/11, 4:59 AM
Other
comment #:
13293
rating:
0
I think good thoughts, Whilst others write good words And to the most of praise add something more... He stands apart from the rest and holds his rank before... In his humility, honor, humor and trust.
1/2/11, 12:42 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
12967
rating:
9.8
Compassion, fairness and steadiness in moving cases along on his heavy civil docket are this Judge's hallmarks. He is extremely compassionate to pro se litigants and fair with the disenfranchised.
1/1/11, 10:50 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
12671
rating:
10
Judge Ellison is brilliant legal scholar and one of the finest judges that I have had the privilege of appearing before during my 32 years of practice. He always treated the parties and counsel with respect and fairness. The case was complex and hotly contested but Judge Ellison kept the parties on a steady course. As an out of state attorney I consider it a rare privilege to have had an opportunity to appear before him.
1/2/11, 11:37 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
11930
rating:
10
When Judge Ellison was new to the bench, I had a serious illness necessitating open heart surgery. During my recuperation, I received a personal handwritten note from Judge Ellison wishing me a speedy recovery and urging me to take things slowly. That was 11 years ago. With my recent negative experiences and the deterioration of the practice of law in the Federal Court system-remembering that small handwritten personal get well note gives me hope that there are Judges in the Federal System that still have compassion and humility. His successor in Laredo Division would do well to take a lesson or two from this class act.
1/2/11, 4:39 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
11471
rating:
10
Being in Judge Ellison's Court is the most rewarding experience I have had in my legal career. He is a brilliant scholar, a very kind man, and a perfect gentleman. Texas needs more Judges like him!
1/2/10, 2:29 PM
Other
comment #:
11374
rating:
0
Was anyone present at yesterday's (8/25/10) Houston Area Naturalization Ceremony? Judge Ellison crafted the perfect morning for this newest gaggle of Americans. It was a logistical and spiritual - yes, spiritual - triumph.
1/2/10, 9:55 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
10500
rating:
10
Easily among the best judges I have had the pleasure of practicing before. Judge Ellison is extremely respectful towards attorneys and litigants before him, which typically yields even more respect in return. Yet, he has what it takes to make difficult decisions.
1/1/10, 8:28 PM
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