Who are the Best of the Best in the Federal District Court Firmament?

I don't shy away from criticizing federal judges and magistrate judges I believe are incompetent, biased, or lazy, but I prefer, particularly in this Season of Thanks, to recognize those that display all-around excellence. One of the categories we include on our website The Robing Room (www.therobingroom.com) is "The Top 10 Federal Judges." Here are a few of the many judged the "best of the best" among federal district judges and magistrate judges.

1. Hon. Thelton E. Henderson (N.D.CA.)

   1. "Excellent judge. Old school judge who cares about the people and how judges should wield the power they are entrusted."

   2. "Outstanding human being and brilliant judge. The classiest man on the bench in California."

   3. "The only excellent judge I've dealt with. Hope he stays on for many more years to come."

2. Hon. Keith P Ellison (S.D.TX.)

   1. "Among the very best judges I have ever practiced before. Judge Ellison is a thoughtful judge who cares about getting things right."

   2. "This judge is one of the fairest and most honest judges that I have ever dealt with. He has my respect."

   3. "One of the kindest and most intelligent people one could ever meet. He embodies what anyone would seek in a judge: patience, intelligence, and compassion."

3. Hon. Benjamin J. Beaton (W.D.KY.)

   1. "Brilliant. Just brilliant. And, above all, fair."

   2. "Smart, fair, courteous. What else could you want in a judge?"

   3. "Judge Beaton is a fair, intelligent, industrious, and first rate judge. If you get an adverse ruling, you can be assured you got a fair hearing. (How I wish lawyers could pick their own judges!)"

4. Hon. Carlton W. Reeves (S.D.Miss.)

   1. "Judge Reeves is fair, intelligent and strives to make the right decision regardless of whether that decision favors the plaintiff or defendant. He respects the law and yet remembers the impact judicial decisions have on real lives and society as a whole. Some of his opinions are incredibly insightful and well written."

   2. "Excellent judge. Simply calls balls and strikes without bias. Actively participates in settlement discussions. Well written and supported opinions."

   3. "Great judge -- incredibly smart and well prepared. Had in-depth questions to ask on cases that parties cited to him for the first time."

5. Edward R. Korman (E.D.N.Y).

   1. "Brilliant Jurist. The EDNY is lucky to have him. Make sure you are prepared. Don't try to fool him. Ask for help if you need it - he loves to mentor."

   2. "Attended a recent sentencing before Judge Korman involving a very difficult defendant who blew cooperation by being re-arrested and getting a substantial state court sentence, so the government declined to file a 5K letter. The judge nonetheless gave the defendant substantial credit for his cooperation and addressed the defendant in a very straightforward and humane way."

   3. "He is just a great judge all around, fair, even handed, friendly, not pompous. Definitely one of the best judges in the Eastern District. It is a pleasure to appear before him."

6. Hon. Tonianne J. Bongiovanni (Mag. Judge (D.N.J.))

   1. "This Mag Judge SHOULD be a Judge. Great temperament, set the right tone for her courtroom, great awareness of what lawyers and parties are doing and dealing with. Again, she should be made a Judge. I have appeared in many district courts around the country. She stands out as especially capable"

   2. Judge Bongiovanni is one of the best I have worked with in Trenton. We had a difficult case with a difficult Plaintiff. She helped us bring it to an end and even awarded us attorney's fees, which was appropriate in this matter.

   3. I have been appearing in front of Judge Bongiovanni in civil matters for about 8 years now. She is respectful and a delight. She is easily accessible by phone and always fair to both sides. When she assumed the bench, she had limited familiarity with the civil side, having come from the Federal Public Defender's Office. She quickly learned and has proven to be a very good asset to the bench.

7. Douglas S. McComick (Mag Judge C.D.CA.)

   1. "This magistrate is a treasure. Informed on the latest updates in hotly contested and unsettled areas of law, and willing to do the necessary research to fully absorb extremely complex and nuanced legal theories. We could use more jurists like Judge McCormick."

   2. "Fair, patient, and whip-smart. Highly recommended if you're trying to settle. How is this guy not a DJ?"

   3. "He was the judge initially assigned to my federal criminal matter out of Orange County. He presided over my detention hearing, and I'm so fortunate to have landed in his courtroom. To put it lightly, my release pre-trial was very questionable and on the fence. He was able to see past my history, and gave me one more chance to remain out on bond pre-trial. I had prepared myself for remand. Bond and release conditions were very fair and reasonable...."

8. Roy S. Payne (Mag Judge E.D.TX)

   1. "As good a magistrate judge as I've ever practiced before. Probably as good a judge PERIOD as I've practiced before. Knows the law, and if he doesn't, he'll learn it. Incredibly patient. Very slow to anger or become annoyed...."

   2. "Judge Payne is smart and experienced. He's especially well-versed in the rules of evidence and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. I don't think I've ever met someone who knows these subjects as well as he does...."

   3. "As good a magistrate judge as I've ever appeared in front of in over 30 years. Very bright. Handles a huge docket, including hundreds of patent cases. But as nice a guy as you'd hope to meet...."

      
      

   As I said, this is just a small sampling of the many federal judges who bring honor to the federal bench. Visit The Robing Room (www.therobingroom.com) to read about many others, and to add your own evaluations of judges before whom you've appeared.

   
   

   Richard Levitt

   Levitt & Kaizer

   (212) 480-4000