THE ROBING ROOM

Easily the worst judge on the SDNY for more reasons than can be named. Regularly does absurd things sua sponte and is readily willing to deny litigants due process if she is bored or wants to speed things along. I would not be surprised if she is the most-frequently reversed on appeal judge in the Second Circuit. What I have observed of her courtroom demeanor is completely unprofessional. In the most-recent criminal trial I had in front of Judge Batts, even the prosecutor commented that she was showing clear favoritism for the government. I have heard that she has openly stated that she will give an advantage to women and minorities in her courtroom. When she does not understand an issue, her default response is to simply rule for the side she thinks should win, irrespective of the rules of procedure or evidence. The only good news is that she is now on senior status, so we may not have to worry about drawing her for new cases much longer.