The Robing Room

Hon. Jeffrey Cole	See Rating Details
Magistrate Judge	See Comments
N.D.Ill.
Average Rating:8.3 - 22 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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*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=Chronic`y 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)
Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating

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What others have said about Hon. Jeffrey Cole

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 35197
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Cole has all of the pettiness and personal vindictiveness of Judge Posner, with none of his intellect.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 35171
Rating:1.8

Comments:
The first comment here, submitted on 9/5/2006, says all that needs to be known while others tie it up nicely. In sum, Mr. Cole is a sadly distempered man Incredibly thin skinned, Mr. Cole assumes that all civil litigants who dare challenge his off the cuff rulings are truly up to no good and just trying to multiply the proceedings. The response to any questioning is likely to be an ad hominem attack on counsel. He has what amounts to a handful of quips that he cuts and pastes into his orders whether they fit the facts or not. His rulings are as filled with misstatements of fact and the positions of the parties as anyone would expect from a judge in the Northern District of Illinois where such "judicial mischief," as Justice Scalia referred to it, is commonplace. Word from the lawyers of his generation is that he has always been self important and always angry that no president ever saw fit to place his name in nomination for appointment to the federal bench. Not a great magistrate by any means. Just [redacted by Ed.] unfit for the bench at an level, who goes out of his way to try to APPEAR to be smart. Mr. Cole would do well to actually focus on the work, entering orders that contain accurate factual statements, perhaps even with record citation, [redacted by Ed.]. The bench and bar will be much benefitted by Mr. Cole's departure from it.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24815
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I recently mediated my federal employment law case before Mag. Judge Cole. He was excellent in all respects. He is thoughtful, patient, even handed and courteous to the attorneys and the parties. Equally important, I believe that he is realistic and practical in his approach to case settlement and in analyzing salient issues. He is a true assist to the federal bench in Chicago.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22503
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Best judge ever.

Other

Comment #: 22380
Rating:1.0

Comments:
How does a Federal Judge justify apologizing to an ISIS supporter when denying her bail? If this judge hasn't the stomach for presiding over potential matters of national security, then he should consider stepping down. The innocent people of the world, and of the United States, need assistance in the fight on terrorism, NOT the ones who are financially supporting the terrorists!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21030
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Agree about the ego, but judges are entitled to interrupt attorneys -- and it doesn't work the other way around, either. How long have you been practicing, for God's sake?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18811
Rating:3.2

Comments:
Always talks over the attorneys and interrupts them. Have never had a good experience in his courtroom. Mind is made up the minute he gets on the bench and uses the hearing to "play to the crowd" to try impressing them. Huge ego.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18157
Rating:10.0

Comments:
A terrific judge. Book and street smart, Judge Cole is an accomodating jurist who runs his Courtroom efficiently and fairly. Even if you disagree with his decision, you will always know his reasoning.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 18136
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Excellent judge. Too bad he is a magistrate, not a full judge. The only possible down side is that he likes to talk, which isn't a bad thing, unless you are in a hurry to get out of there.

Litigant

Comment #: 13777
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Should be a district court judge. Has the intelligence, knowledge, humanity and demeanor that should be the standard for the Northern District of Illinois.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13412
Rating:9.5

Comments:
One of my favorites. Hard working and cares about the system. Very bright and willing to devote the time to address the "real" problems in any piec of litigation.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12607
Rating:5.3

Comments:
Magistrate Cole thinks he's smart. So what if he is? It’s a given that Magistrates shouldn’t be dumbbells. He pretends to be fair and open-minded, but I suspect that he decides early on who he wants to win. Not so "smart". In my book he’s insufficiently intelligent, inauthentic and condescending. Others often make similar comments on their way out to the elevators.

In his prolix written opinions and lengthy lectures from the bench, he looks for opportunities to interject gratuitous, ad hominem digs at the lawyers (and litigants) who have to bite their tongues.

WARNING: Be careful about what you say in his courtroom or your briefs - it may be twisted and/or will probably wind up in a minute order and be used against you or your client.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11845
Rating:9.3

Comments:
I have been to several settlement conferences with Magistrate Judge Cole, most recently as court appointed counsel in an employment case. Judge Cole is very effective and willing to work hard to reach a settlement. He also treats the parties and counsel with respect. I would definitely recommend him for a settlement conference.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11518
Rating:9.7

Comments:
a terrific and dedicated judge. really tries and works hard, and treats litigants and lawyers as if they are people entitled to respect, generally causing them to rise to the challenge. elevates the system. conscientious. an excellent example of someone who should be a full district judge, and whom most parties, if they actually thought about it, would consent to his handling the whole case, over the majority of judges in the Northern District

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6583
Rating:9.3

Comments:
Magistrate Judge Cole takes an extremely "hands-on" approach to his cases. He is very willing to get involved in the settlement process. He doesn't tolerate gamesmanship in litigation and will call lawyers out for being obstinate. The only drawback of appearing before Judge Cole is that the parties have to be careful about what they tell the court because it will all end up in the minute order.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6488
Rating:9.7

Comments:
The guy is smart and calls them like he sees them. What lawyers hate is that he will call them on their nonsense.
I would take him over half of the Article IIIs in that courthouse.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 5506
Rating:7.5

Comments:
Very even-handed. His opinions tend to ramble and editorialize. Willing to roll up his sleeves and get involved. Good man.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2250
Rating:10.0

Comments:
He should be the next Article III judge. He is as intelligent as one can get, yet not grandeloquent. He possesses a sense of humor which is rare amongst the judges in the building. He makes court enjoyable and he is able to share his brilliance in his lengthy, yet well thought out opinions.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2249
Rating:9.7

Comments:
Judge Cole is perhaps the only judge who knows every case in detail that comes in front of him. He is involved and encourages attorneys to contact him with anything. Furthermore, his writing is superb. He is brilliant.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2032
Rating:6.0

Comments:
In his lengthy written opinions, Judge Cole often makes gratuitous ad hominem attacks on the lawyers.

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Ratings

What others have said about Hon. Jeffrey Cole

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Other

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Litigant

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private