THE ROBING ROOM

I am not based in Chicago but recently had two cases pending in the Northern District. Judge Kendall presided over one case, and another judge presided over the second case. It was like night and day. Judge Kendall is a pleasure to appear before. I have read the Ezell case for which she is receiving such sharp criticism and the 7th Circuit opinion reversing her. While I agree she got it wrong, she shouldn't be judged so harshly based on this one case. I found her to be sharp. She issued well-reasoned opinions in my case. She also ruled promptly on motions and was fair and even-handed to both parties. In the past, colleagues have criticized her ability to preside over civil cases, but I did not find that to be true. She has been on the bench for a number of years now and has probably grown as a jurist. I attribute early criticisms to her lack of experience with civil litigation, and colleagues at my firm would agree. I don't think that is really an issue any longer.