Hon. Richard M. Berman See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
S.D.N.Y.  
Average Rating:6.2 - 16 rating(s)
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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)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Trial:    (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Sentencing:    (1=Most Lenient,10=Most Harsh)
Typical Discount Off Guidelines for Cooperators:    (1=10%,10=100%)
  Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating
Comments


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What others have said about Hon. Richard M. Berman


Comments


Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 35508
Rating:2.7
Comments:
Among the three worst judges I have ever appeared before. His bias against the defense is almost as strong as his contempt for lawyers and legal argument. He is also quite inflexible, making very clear at every step that he disfavors motions, limits them unreasonably without regard for the complexity of the case. His opinions are flabby, so it's not surprising that he almost never publishes anything, even on WL. He is not smart, and seems to be insecure about that. I hope to never have the misfortune to appear before this man again. He should retire.

Send e-mail to this poster 3/16/2024 10:45:46 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 32762
Rating:9.2
Comments:
I had him in an overtime case a few years ago. Unlike many judges, he was always polite and respectful toward counsel for both sides. He made a number of rulings pre-trial, on a motion for partial summary judgment regarding a long list of discrete issues, that were not only correct (and issued quickly) but had the effect of pushing the parties to settle on terms that were fair for the plaintiffs (my clients). I'd be happy to have all my cases assigned to him.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/12/2019 4:40:48 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 25446
Rating:5.6
Comments:
Dinesh D'Souza.... enough said.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/9/2018 9:50:26 AM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 24133
Rating:8.8
Comments:
I disagree with the comment that his adherence to the "guidelines appears slavish." Presentence, I was concerned about that comment coupled with his unique rule that Probation may not enumerate reasons for a non-guideline sentence in the PSR. We had him on a plea where there were compelling 3553 factors and he imposed a year and a day on a 30-37-mo. guidelines range. We were hoping (and asked) for probation. While I beleive many judges in the SDNY (and EDNY) would have imposed probation on these facts, it was a fair sentence from any perspective other than a defendant's. He read everything submitted and summarized all the arguments we made even before we had a chance to speak. While my prepared sentencing comments were trashed, I'd rather know the court has carefully considered all matters prior to arriving on the bench. No disputed guidelines issues, so the bottom line -- from a defense sentencing perspective -- is fair, but on the harsher side of the balance beam. But importantly, willing to impose a non-guideline sentence where the facts support same.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/25/2017 4:36:02 PM

Other

Comment #: 23953
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He's great as a Political judge, very loyal to his party affiliation.....

Send e-mail to this poster 10/29/2016 6:29:20 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 22191
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Perfectly efficient demeanor, cordial and courteous. He seems fair and prepared. All a criminal lawyer could want

Send e-mail to this poster 11/30/2014 3:24:11 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21627
Rating:2.0
Comments:
What a bizarre judge this guy is. He spends the entire time on the bench looking in the gallery to see who's watching him, and doesn't pay attention to what the parties are saying. He comes out and chats with his "audience" before the proceedings. He thinks he's a game show host and not a judge. He seems very erratic and out of touch with reality.

Send e-mail to this poster 3/14/2014 10:52:33 AM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 11511
Rating:6.8
Comments:
Judge Berman is unfailingly polite and exceedingly self protective. His sentencing for relatively low level criminality seems harsh. His adherence to the guidelines seems slavish.

Send e-mail to this poster 10/1/2010 9:07:05 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 3632
Rating:9.2
Comments:
Judge Berman seems to know the right thing to do. He had no problem overruling an unfavorable R&R from a Magistrate in a recent case to do the right thing. He carefully considered all my objections and ruled on each one with discretion. Clearly not afraid to do the right thing and follow the law.

Send e-mail to this poster 2/1/2007 3:10:45 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 3472
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
My last experience left me wondering why he even wants to be on the Bench. He displayed a complete lack of interest in managing or attempting to resolve the case. Also, his courtroom persona is oddly stiff and unnecessarily supercilious. There was animosity and disdain toward all counsel from the outset. I could not square this persona with the far more engaging (and potentially effective) persona displayed back in Chambers.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/12/2007 7:29:26 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 1701
Rating:7.5
Comments:
a decent,fair judge who pushes for settlements

Send e-mail to this poster 8/16/2006 9:16:00 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 1083
Rating:6.0
Comments:
It is close to impossible to get a decision out of him. He appears to be afraid to decide motions and hold trials.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/21/2006 11:05:20 AM