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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Vanessa Gilmore
District judge
S.D.Tex.
5th Circuit
Average Rating:
3.2
-
43
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Vanessa Gilmore
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Criminal Defense Lawyer
33055
4/30/25
1
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
1
0
1.25
Criminal Defense Lawyer
32651
1/1/19
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Civil Litigation - Private
28893
1/2/18
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Civil Litigation - Private
23951
1/2/16
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Civil Litigation - Private
22764
1/2/15
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22328
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
22253
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22267
1/2/14
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
Litigant
22202
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
22203
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22206
1/1/14
0
1
1
0
3
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
1.5
Civil Litigation - Private
22207
1/1/14
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Other
22209
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
22211
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
22213
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22224
1/2/14
1
1
1
1
7
1
0
1
0
0
8
0
0
0
2
Civil Litigation - Private
22230
1/1/14
1
2
3
0
3
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
Civil Litigation - Private
22235
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22237
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
19299
1/1/13
6
10
7
10
6
0
9
10
5
5
0
4
5
3
8
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
Criminal Defense Lawyer
33055
4/30/25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
32651
1/1/19
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
28893
1/2/18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
23951
1/2/16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22764
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22328
1/2/15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
22253
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22267
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
22202
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Litigant
22203
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
22206
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22207
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
22209
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
22211
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
22213
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22224
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22230
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22235
1/1/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
22237
1/2/14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
19299
1/1/13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Other
32784
8/29/19
1
Litigant
32334
1/2/19
1
Other
28894
1/2/18
1
Other
22200
1/1/14
1
Other
11706
1/2/10
1
Other
7617
1/2/08
10
Other
6416
1/2/08
1
Other
6200
1/2/08
8
Other
4098
1/2/07
8
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. Vanessa Gilmore
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
33055
rating:
1.25
4/30/25, 8:55 PM
Other
comment #:
32784
rating:
0
Worse judge ever....seems like she takes pleasure in destroying people life. Anyone who abuse their authority trying to convince people that they are God, has got to be extremely miserable and vey lonely. She is a straight up NUT....She and others like her have a lot of blood on their hands. They act and believe that they are God). They think they are untouchable, above the law, but one day they will come face to face with GOD. the righteous judge and be judged by him.
8/29/19, 3:08 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
32651
rating:
10
She is a red neck and rules as such.
1/1/19, 7:55 AM
Litigant
comment #:
32334
rating:
0
Awaits 5th circuits decision on Judicial Conduct Complaint
1/2/19, 3:23 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
28893
rating:
1
This judge did not do her job. She often laugh at people pain and disregard for defendants family ties. We came in to testify of a defendant that repented for the sins he had committed. She didn't even want to know who we are or hear our side of the stories. We even had priest from our catholic church that want to testified, but no she ready to go home. There were time I went to see her give sentencing to feel herbout she would sentence people that are the same color as her very low (black), but any other race she would throw the book at them. This defendant had zero criminal history and quit close to a year ahead of time before he was arrested. Started a family and the fed came to arrested him at his home while his wife is pregnant. He also had parents that are sick he was taken care of. The defendant sold 1 ounce of meth a few times and they charged him the same thing over and over. Not a violent offender and a middle man gets 10 years minimum while she free her own black ppl that rob, steals and hurt others for less years. Not Including a level 3 or 4 criminal. She didn't care about what the lawyer have to say. She didn't even read non of the letters sent in by family members and even priest and organizationsm She just want to lock people up because it's taking time off her day. I do not know why Clinton gave her this job. Maybe at the beginning she actually did her job to put up an act. Now it is something for the hell of it to pay the bills. A judge suppose to have empathy and sympathy. a judge and see all side of the stories and find solutions to help the defendant not commit a crime again and give them a sentence that fits them. Smh worst judge I have ever seen, please get a new judge if u get her.!!!!
1/2/18, 7:06 AM
Other
comment #:
28894
rating:
0
This women right here is straight out of a reality tv show, she shows no remorse for anyone that stands before her. Her attitude is terrible she lashes out at the lawyers. I have been in many court side audiences where she is up on that stand. She does not deserve her role as a judge. Judges serve justice, judge Gilmore is the total opposite. She bases her judgments by how her day is going. If she is having a bad day she will probably sentence you to life.
1/2/18, 7:19 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
23951
rating:
1
I'm sorry. In Texas we were raised to say 'yes ma'am' and 'no ma'am' when addressing a person in authority and acting like a petulant child and as if you were insulted for being called 'ma'am' is unprofessional. Her performance on the bench seemed more like an episode of Jerry Springer than the dignity expected of a district court judge. She was abusive, extremely sarcastic (to both lawyers- not just me) and tremendously disrespectful. Very disgraceful. Wow. Just wow.
1/2/16, 8:51 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22764
rating:
1
Abusive, unprepared, arrogant, sarcastic, rude. Completely lacking in judicial temperament. Unwilling to listen to argument. Refuses to allow motion practice in connection with discovery issues. When she does not understand, which is often, her reaction is to abuse counsel. Her appointment was clearly a huge mistake.
1/2/15, 12:29 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
22328
rating:
0
She should not only be reversed on every case, but deserves judicial impeachment...... You fellow judges should get your act together.
1/2/15, 10:09 PM
Litigant
comment #:
22253
rating:
0
I guess honorable Gilmore is on vacation. No new theatrical events reported. Merry Christmas.
1/2/14, 2:22 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22267
rating:
1
Ignorance is very expensive, plus takes sides, prejudges, disrespectful and and therefore, destructive to the U.S. Justice system. Her appointment was a mistake.
1/2/14, 10:00 AM
Other
comment #:
22200
rating:
0
Judge Vanessa is smart but emotional and decides the case before hearing the facts, than directs the case even if she has to opress the evidence in order to have the outcome she has predecided. Judges shall be nutral and wait until all the evidences are presented and not take sides.
1/1/14, 3:10 AM
Litigant
comment #:
22202
rating:
0
No respect to the law or the rules of evidence. I pray for anyone who has to deal with her. There are judges who do things right and some who do things. She does them distructivly. May God help her and her family.
1/1/14, 8:07 AM
Litigant
comment #:
22203
rating:
0
allowed a U.S. Rival company to commit purjejury and deceptive trade against a U.S. Company and blocked the U.S. Company from introducing evidence and defend it self in an essential and strategic commodity case needed for Economic survival. Titled the balance unjustly which may result in the U.S. Company closing and adding to the unemployment line and damaging the economy
1/1/14, 9:47 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
22206
rating:
1.5
I am sure she means well but cannot overcome her emotions. She gets personally involved instead being nutral and therefore, becomes incapable of judging. She chooses the wrong football team and she makes them win.
1/1/14, 9:33 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22207
rating:
1
Never been in front of a worst judge. Ignores evidence and diverts the course of justice and disrespectful to lawyers and witnesses.
1/1/14, 12:11 PM
Other
comment #:
22209
rating:
0
Cannot help but like her and her theatrical court. She needs to have her own talk show and leave the Judging profession to realistic, logical, and impartial people
1/2/14, 12:26 AM
Other
comment #:
22211
rating:
0
For whatever reason she allowed a foreign company to default on several contracts and swindle my employer out of millions forcing the management to settle or leave us out of a job. She makes a better judge in China.
1/2/14, 12:58 AM
Other
comment #:
22213
rating:
0
For whatever reason she allowed a foreign company to default on several contracts and swindle my employer out of millions forcing the management to settle or leave us out of a job. She makes a better judge in China.
1/2/14, 1:04 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
22224
rating:
2
Judge Gilmore is biased, temperamental, and unfair. She takes pleasure in yelling at lawyers and making them feel uncomfortable. She is an unfortunate representation of the Southern District of Texas.
1/2/14, 4:01 AM
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