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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Lance M. Africk
District judge
E.D.La.
5th Circuit
Average Rating:
6.5
-
14
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Lance M. Africk
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
22260
1/2/14
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Civil Litigation - Private
22166
1/2/14
9
9
10
8
0
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
Civil Litigation - Private
22118
1/2/14
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
10
Other
21930
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
20901
1/2/13
3
4
1
2
5
5
0
2
0
0
7
0
0
0
3.3
Litigant
20156
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
9530
1/2/09
10
10
10
0
10
10
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
6952
1/1/08
9
9
9
0
9
10
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
9.2
Litigant
6760
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
6556
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6576
1/2/08
2
1
3
3
6
7
5
4
8
2
2
4
1
1
3.9
Civil Litigation - Private
4805
1/1/07
8
10
9
10
9
9
9
7
5
5
5
5
6
7
9.1
Civil Litigation - Private
4705
1/1/07
6
4
4
4
8
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.8
Criminal Defense Lawyer
4093
1/2/07
5
5
4
4
7
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.7
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
22260
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22166
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22118
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
21930
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
20901
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
20156
1/2/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
9530
1/2/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6952
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
6760
1/1/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
6556
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6576
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4805
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4705
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
4093
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
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. Lance M. Africk
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22260
rating:
1
By far the laziest judge at the EDLa. Comment #21930 is spot on. Incredibly condescending to anyone who practices against the EDLa USAO. He doesn't understand the law, he doesn't care about learning the law, and he leaves unbelievably bad decisions in his wake. The most politically motivated judge on the bench.
1/2/14, 7:00 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22166
rating:
9.2
This judge like many other judges consider laws and case history and facts presented to them. In the absence, case law in favor of the defendant may be quoated. Therefore, come with your case history to support your cause. The judge at first looked at only one side of the problem an automatically ruled for the Defendant. Then, when more information was given the judge was strong enough to make the right decision without being weak and fearful of doing his job. Communicate and the judge will be impartial and consider your case history, 351laws and facts. I am proud of someone who can take a stand and has a backbone!
1/2/14, 7:54 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22118
rating:
10
He demonstrates complete impartiality to all parties before him. He does not and would not make decisions based on emotion or personal feelings. Rather, he bases his rulings only on the law and facts presented. Indeed, even in instances where he expresses his initial impression of a matter or issue before him, he always permits the parties or their representatives to present argument, law, and/or evidence which may ultimately change his initial impression. He does this to make certain that his rulings are fair and correct. In short, litigants are guaranteed an even playing field with this judge.
1/2/14, 7:19 AM
Other
comment #:
21930
rating:
0
He is an ex Federal Prosecutor and clearly has a conflict of interest. He is friends with the attorneys in the United States Attorney's Office, specifically the EDLA. There are occasions when he has admitted he does not understand the law.
1/2/14, 1:37 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
20901
rating:
3.3
He is one of the laziest federal judges I have ever encountered.
1/2/13, 10:44 AM
Litigant
comment #:
20156
rating:
0
While we recently prevailed in the litigation overseen by Judge Africk - the bias he demonstrated for the plaintiff was nothing short of shocking. At the eleventh hour he reversed himself on several key rulings and even questioned witnesses in a manner favorable to the plaintiffs. Apparently the plaintiff attorney was a former law clerk. Luckily the jury saw through the ruse and rendered a favorable verdict.
1/2/13, 12:49 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
9530
rating:
10
Intelligent, ex State and Federal Prosecutor. Very good on evidence. Friendly and at the same time professional. Understands what it is like to be a litigant and has respect for the attorneys who come before him. He doesn't abuse his position.
1/2/09, 2:19 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6952
rating:
9.2
An excellent judge with the highest ethical standards and extensive litigation experience. Lets lawyers try their cases. Strict on burden of proof but awards extremely fair compensation if you prove your case. Be prepared. Overall, exactly what you want in a judge.
1/1/08, 11:50 PM
Litigant
comment #:
6760
rating:
0
Judge Africk is despicable; he is incredibly unfair to pro se litigants. Judge Africk purposefully abets Louisiana real estate racketeering (in my case he ruled in favor of a defunct mortgage company although he knew the company no longer existed) and debt collection fraud. Also, Judge Africk required my former attorney to betray me to aid the opposing parties.
1/1/08, 12:59 PM
Litigant
comment #:
6556
rating:
0
An outstanding jurist. It is a pleasure to try a case in his court - if the lawyer is prepared, knows the law applicable to his/her case and has briefed or is prepared to brief the court as the case is presented. Very even-handed.
1/2/08, 7:04 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6576
rating:
3.9
This is a sad jurist. What's even more sad is how he and the others got on the bench. He is the biggest political opportunist since Porteous on the bench.
1/2/08, 9:19 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
4805
rating:
9.1
Extremely knowledgable and throughly prepared to handle complex civil/criminal litigation. His prior litigation background is evident in the courtroom, in handling counsel, witnesses and jurors. Holds all to a high standard of preparation and does an excellent job of focusing on the issues.
1/1/07, 11:04 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
4705
rating:
4.8
I have represented plaintiffs in two different cases before Judge Africk. My experience was very similar to that given in Comment #4093. Judge Africk made it very clear that he neither cared whether the plaintiffs deserved relief under the applicable federal statutes, nor was he inclined to learn any law he did not already know. Finally, I agree that the problem seems to be that he has not transitioned well from being a magistrate judge to a district judge.
1/1/07, 11:53 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
4093
rating:
4.7
I have represented plaintiffs before Judge Africk in two slightly unusual types of litigation. In both instances he demonstrated a clear pro-defense bias. On the one hand, he admitted that he did not understand one area of law, and furthermore he made it very clear that he really didn't care to learn it. On the other hand, he made it clear that he really didn't care that the federal statutes offered protections for the plaintiffs, he just wasn't interested in helping. Moreover, I also can compare his performance as a magistrate with his later performance as a district judge, and the transition has not gone well. The greater power has apparently gone to his head, and the result has been a marked decrease in the quality of his work and his judicial temperament.
1/2/07, 2:23 AM
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