The Robing Room

Hon. Maria Valdez	See Rating Details
Magistrate Judge	See Comments
N.D.Ill.
Average Rating:8.5 - 11 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

Add your own rating

E-Mail Address (will not be displayed)	* *
Confirm E-mail Address	* * *
Zip
Occupation
Add a comment only Ratings

*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

Comments

Please type what you see below:

Not an even number!

What others have said about Hon. Maria Valdez

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19083
Rating:9.2

Comments:
We conducted a settlement conference with this Judge and she was well prepared and fair with all of the parties.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18944
Rating:10.0

Comments:
This judge does NOT phone it in. She works hard and cares about the job. I would, and have, consented to her taking my cases from the district court judge. It is a crying shame that Obama did not appoint her an Article III.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12526
Rating:9.3

Comments:
Terrific judge. Smart, prepared and willing to step in to work hard at settlement.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12321
Rating:3.3

Comments:
I used to like her alot. But lately she seems less enthused about the job and is phoning it in. Prior posts about her evidentiary rulings is very accurate. She clearly has the ability, but is not putting forth the effort. Also, has a very "sharp" sense of humor -- to the point of creating awkward moments with counsel and the parties.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11816
Rating:5.7

Comments:
Historically, I have had good experiences with this judge. But lately, she seems preoccupied and nervous about appearing fair to both sides. This tends to result in strange evidentiary rulings at trial. Translation: she tries to correct an earlier bad call against you, by giving the other side an equally bad call against it. Clearly not comfortable presiding over trials or rendering evidentiary rulings in a snap.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 10191
Rating:9.6

Comments:
I've had Judge Valdez approximately 5-6 times in the past 5 years. I try to get the other side to consent whenever possible. She is knowledgeable about most of the types of civil litigation that frequently is filed in federal court. I don't always agree with her discovery rulings, but so what, they made sense and she can get your case settled for a reasonable number if that's what you and your client want.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9115
Rating:9.0

Comments:
Fair and actually listens, putting her ahead of nearly 50% of her colleagues. I have consented to her and would recommend it to others unhappy with their district judge assignment.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 8745
Rating:9.2

Comments:
Ok, I'll be honest, Judge Valdez is one of my favorites. She's proven to be one of the better judges in the building. She is hardworking, diligent, and actually tries to get it right instead of "right now." I have consented to her on several occasions because she seems to be even better when she is not being controlled by the whims of some angry bitter district court judge who is simply trying to get a case off the docket. I hear that Obama might elevate her to the district court. Well, in my opinion, HE SHOULD!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7630
Rating:9.7

Comments:
A very fair, competent and even-handed judge. Does not suffer fools gladly, so be on your toes. She understands the role of a judge and works hard at her job. I would consent to her over many of the district court judges.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6950
Rating:9.2

Comments:
Judge Valdez is reasponable and understands her role as a magistrate judge -- control discovery and settle cases. Though I don't always agree with her positions on discovery, her rulings are grounded in the law and she makes an effort to be fair and reasonable to all of the parties.

She actually reads the briefs and does her own independent research, sometimes even citing footnotes to 7th Circuit cases just to see if you are on your toes.

I would consent to her over several district court judges who either don't know or don't care; in that respect, Valdez is a fresh of breath air.

Add your own rating

Ratings

What others have said about Hon. Maria Valdez

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private

Civil Litigation - Private