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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Bernard Zimmerman
Magistrate judge
N.D.Cal.
9th Circuit
Average Rating:
6.4
-
8
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Bernard Zimmerman
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
7875
1/2/09
1
1
1
1
3
1
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.3
Civil Litigation - Private
6812
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6623
1/2/08
10
9
9
0
10
10
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.6
Criminal Defense Lawyer
6093
1/2/08
10
8
7
8
9
10
6
8
9
9
7
0
0
0
8.3
Other
3153
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Prosecutor
3093
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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
7875
1/2/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6812
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6623
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
6093
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
3153
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Prosecutor
3093
1/2/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Litigant
8833
1/1/09
9
Litigant
8834
1/1/09
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. Bernard Zimmerman
Litigant
comment #:
8833
rating:
0
Was involved in a settlement negotiation with this judge. We found him fair, reasonable and perceptive in understanding the parties and the issues. Perhaps a little to lenient to sleazy legal tactics but on the whole, fair and equitable.
1/1/09, 12:23 PM
Litigant
comment #:
8834
rating:
0
You will get a fair hearing from this judge at a settlement conference. Stick to the key points - he's not tolerant of voluminous bs.
1/1/09, 12:26 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
7875
rating:
1.3
The worst magistrate judge in the Northern District. During a settlement conference he refused to turn down his loud classical music. He is lazy, mecurial, inconsistent and wants to yell at counsel. He even turned his back on an elderly lawyer during oral argument because he did not want to hear a counter-argument.
1/2/09, 9:40 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6812
rating:
0
As a pro se litigant who is well aware of the bias of many judges in federal as well as state courts, I was pleasantly surprised to find Judge Zimmerman consistently fair and impartial, knowledgeable, and quick to respond to motions and discovery problems (often within days as contrasted to judges who take months). He was willing to change his ruling when he realized he had made an error in dismissing with prejudice a cause of action (no doubt due to hasty reading, which can be excused because the courts are overwhelmed and understaffed). If only more judges were like Judge Zimmerman.
1/2/08, 9:22 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6623
rating:
9.6
This was one of the most considerate and respectable judges I have ever come across. Very even-handed, or at least appeared that way in how he dealt with the parties and issues. No chip on his shoulder at all.
1/2/08, 8:13 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
6093
rating:
8.3
I have been in front of him twice. He seems great. One of the few judges I have seen that actually appeared truly prepared and interested. I argued a MSJ for a long time in front of him and walked away feeling like 'Either way, that guy got it. He heard me out and when he was unsure of what I was getting at, he asked for clarification.' (I won the MSJ.) I wish there were more like him. (Eveyone calls him 'Zim,' except the lawyer, of course.)
1/2/08, 11:52 PM
Other
comment #:
3153
rating:
0
We have deleted the first comment from this site since we could not affirm the bona fides of the poster. The Moderator.
1/2/06, 9:35 PM
Prosecutor
comment #:
3093
rating:
0
Prior rating and comment authored by Bernard Zimmerman. He likes to hear himself talk as well, and runs very lengthy criminal calendars.
1/2/06, 6:41 PM
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