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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Kenneth M. Karas
District judge
S.D.N.Y.
2nd Circuit
Average Rating:
8.2
-
20
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Kenneth M. Karas
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
26845
1/2/18
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Criminal Defense Lawyer
25121
1/2/18
9
10
10
10
3
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8.7
Civil Litigation - Private
24562
1/2/17
8
8
10
0
10
7
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
8.6
Criminal Defense Lawyer
24109
1/2/17
10
10
10
9
10
0
9
9
9
10
0
7
0
0
9.7
Civil Litigation - Private
23274
1/1/16
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
21721
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
13117
1/2/11
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
10
0
5
0
0
5
0
10
Criminal Defense Lawyer
10469
1/2/10
4
8
8
7
7
3
4
6
8
10
3
8
10
0
5.9
Civil Litigation - Private
10030
1/2/10
9
10
9
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
9
0
0
0
9.7
Civil Litigation - Private
8626
1/1/09
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Criminal Defense Lawyer
8499
1/1/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
8502
1/1/09
10
8
8
8
9
0
8
9
4
6
0
6
5
3
8.5
Civil Litigation - Private
6894
1/1/08
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Criminal Defense Lawyer
6828
1/2/08
10
10
10
10
7
0
10
10
0
0
0
10
0
0
8.1
Civil Litigation - Govt.
5863
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
5037
1/1/07
1
7
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
Civil Litigation - Private
3204
1/1/06
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Criminal Defense Lawyer
2661
1/1/06
10
9
10
0
10
0
9
9
0
9
0
0
0
0
9.6
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
26845
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
25121
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
24562
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
24109
1/2/17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
23274
1/1/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
21721
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
13117
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
10469
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
10030
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
8626
1/1/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
8499
1/1/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
8502
1/1/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6894
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
6828
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Govt.
5863
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
5037
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
3204
1/1/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
2661
1/1/06
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Litigant
23705
1/2/16
10
Litigant
21320
1/1/13
1
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. Kenneth M. Karas
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
26845
rating:
10
In my more than twenty years as an attorney, Judge Karas is probably the best judge before whom I have appeared. He is extremely fair and even-handed, and quite brilliant in his analysis of the law and the facts of a particular case as applied to the law. On several occasions, he issued oral decisions from the bench on complex motions, without notes but with keen precision and insight. When I file a case in White Plains Federal Court, I hope and pray that I draw Judge Karas.
1/2/18, 6:48 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
25121
rating:
8.7
Absolutely brilliant judge. His decisions are works of art - no contention is overlooked, no case law stone unturned. I frequently look for his decisions on a topic even if I'm not in front of him just because I can be assured that he's weighed every possible factor. But, that kind of quality takes time. Be prepared to wait weeks for a pre-motion conference to be scheduled, weeks more for it to proceed, and months for a decision on a motion. He can be a bit biting with his remarks to counsel, but more out of a sense of humor than intention to demean.
1/2/18, 3:30 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
24562
rating:
8.6
Thoughtful, fair and very smart. Can be testy if he thinks someone is stepping over the line. A bit sarcastic, too, but not far from the SDNY average.
1/2/17, 12:32 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
24109
rating:
9.7
I tried a tax fraud case before Judge Karas a few years ago. He was extremely fair and very bright. It was a pleasure to try a case before him. Even my client, who was convicted on some counts, thought he was fair. I look forward to appearing before him again.
1/2/17, 4:55 AM
Litigant
comment #:
23705
rating:
0
Judge Karas is fair and throrough. Judge Karas has given the benefit of the doubt to both myself as Pro-Se and the State's Attorney.
1/2/16, 12:45 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
23274
rating:
10
A top tier federal jurist. He is respectful of the bar and a pleasure to be in front of. Open-minded, scholarly, diligent. A always prepared for oral argument.
1/1/16, 12:39 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
21721
rating:
0
I found him to be condescending, patronizing and engaged in improper colloquy with apposing counsel. Indeed, his mind was made up. As Jefferson said, these are miniature monarchists with their own little fiefdoms. Which is why when President, Jefferson through out the original Judiciary Act written in the 1790's. The poison of appointed judges.
1/2/14, 8:57 PM
Litigant
comment #:
21320
rating:
0
This Judge Karas is the worst. He has a total lack of candor. He is either deliberately misstating facts or grossly incompetent. I have documentary evidence proving that he misstated the material facts of a case. I'm going to release it to all the media, especially alternative media.
1/1/13, 4:45 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
13117
rating:
10
Just a fantastic judge and a fantastic guy. Fair, funny, kind, patient. Smart. Spends all the time in the world on your issues and treats lawyers humanely. Never gets angry. If all judges were like this the profession of lawyering would be a pleasure.
1/2/11, 2:59 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
10469
rating:
5.9
extremely gifted; attempts to hide very conservative ideology; loves to engage lawyers in high level discourse, but normally had already made up his mind and is playing game of 'gotcha'; will rise in judiciary depending on ideology of executive branch.
1/2/10, 9:01 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
10030
rating:
9.7
Smart well-prepared judge. Reads everything before he takes the bench and can see issues immediately. I disagree with comment about his treatment of female attorneys. He treats everyone equal - so long as attorney is knowledgeable about case and prepared to discuss issues intelligently.
1/2/10, 3:23 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
8626
rating:
10
Do not even think of going before his court unprepared. He is very fair
1/1/09, 9:49 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
8499
rating:
0
Recently tried a month-long criminal case before Judge Karas. First rate judge. Down the middle on rulings, kept a comfortable atmosphere, works hard, treated everyone -- including defendants -- fairly. Some unconventional procedures, e.g., five day week working 9:30 to 2:00 with one 20 minute break. Ordered the government to produce Exhibit list in advance of trial but also expects pretrial objections to exhibits-- difficult with more than 1,000 documents. Occasional flashes of temper but not long-lasting and usually justified. Overall: a pleasure. Staff was helpful and professional.
1/1/09, 1:41 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
8502
rating:
8.5
1/1/09, 1:46 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6894
rating:
2
Nasty, anti-plaintiff, and does not like female attorneys who express themselves forcefully.
1/1/08, 11:15 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
6828
rating:
8.1
I just finished trial with Judge Karas and it was an absolute pleasure to appear in front of him. Both sides were treated equally and fairly. I give him the highest rating.
1/2/08, 3:00 PM
Civil Litigation - Govt.
comment #:
5863
rating:
0
This judge should be ashamed of himself. His ruling to send Marion Jones to jail for 6 months is nothing more than an attempt to get his name in the paper. I am not a Marion Jones fan, but thanks to this judge's ruling I am even less of a fan of a legal system run by an overzealous and selfish judiciary.
1/1/08, 6:15 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
5037
rating:
2
This judge makes up his mind from the scheduling conference, lets everyone know it, and never gives the other side a fair chance to persuade him. He took a year and a half to decide an SJ motion for a predetermined result. He's very smart, but unfair.
1/1/07, 10:31 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
3204
rating:
10
First rate, well-prepared, insightful judge. Apparently has a heavy docket as things take a while to be heard but if Judge Karas reflects the quality of people being put on the bench then we are in good shape.
1/1/06, 8:09 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
2661
rating:
9.6
It is remarkable how quickly this young former prosecutor has developed into a first-rate judge. He has a great temperament and is clearly very smart. It is a pleasure to appear before him.
1/1/06, 7:12 PM
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