Hon. Susan Illston See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
N.D.Cal.  
Average Rating:7.7 - 15 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. Susan Illston


Comments


Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24940
Rating:1.3
Comments:
Moron. Vain. Nasty. Her powerful former law partner "bought" her a federal judicial post rather than having to buy her out. He did no one any favors. Awful. Awful.

Send e-mail to this poster 11/8/2017 10:23:23 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24440
Rating:9.7
Comments:
I have had Judge Illston in two different cases, one early in my career and the other several years ago. In the second case she ultimately ruled against me on summary judgment, invoking grounds that to this day I believe were incorrect, but she was nevertheless a superb, patient, diligent and very bright judge, and very hard working too.

She is fair, firm, willing to make strong rulings to resolve matters, smart, and attentive to the facts and governing law.

I felt that she was too lenient in allowing my adversaries to abuse discovery procedures to an absurd degree, but overall I am duty bound to give her an excellent assessment.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/6/2017 5:18:40 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24246
Rating:2.0
Comments:
Judge has displayed general aptitude impairments. It's very sad.

Send e-mail to this poster 3/15/2017 4:40:42 AM

Court Staff

Comment #: 24019
Rating:2.6
Comments:
Susan Illston is not very intelligent. She is also very biased and fails to see beyond a personal perspective. She often violates her sworn oath to the constitution and she tends to rule against those who claim constitutional violations. I should know. I work with her often.

Send e-mail to this poster 11/26/2016 2:03:36 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21280
Rating:9.5
Comments:
Judge Illston is a real credit to the bench. She's fair, thorough, extremely smart, and courteous to everyone who appears in front of her. It doesn't get any better on the federal bench.

Send e-mail to this poster 11/20/2013 6:23:47 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 20930
Rating:9.0
Comments:
I thought she was thoughtful, engaging, and straight to the point. She ruled against me but I didn't think it was unfair at all. I think she made a solid ruling on the facts and law presented and though she flubbed one thing completely, there wasn't any bias or anything like that. I don't ask for a perfect judge. I just ask for a fair one.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/1/2013 8:05:10 PM

Court Staff

Comment #: 20614
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Judge Illston is very sharp and very thorough. She gets to the heart of the issue fast and will make the most fair decision, even if it is not popular with everyone. She is also one of the hardest-working judges around, but treats everyone with respect and gives everyone time to speak. I have tremendous respect for her.

Send e-mail to this poster 4/22/2013 3:44:31 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11928
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Tough but courteous. Intelligent, industrious, and prepared. You don't always get what you want, but you always have a fair shot and a full explanation.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/27/2011 1:11:59 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 10297
Rating:9.2
Comments:
Judge Illston is a wonderful Judge. She is incredibly smart, sees the big picture, and calls them like she sees them. She is intolerant of nonsense, but disposes of it politely. Knows how to tell parties how best to resolve things in a subtle but clear manner, without beating them over the head with her views. She is a great Judge.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/19/2010 11:02:01 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9289
Rating:9.5
Comments:
She is intelligent, learned and above all she is even-handed. I have always been treated with respect in her courtroom (unlike some other judges on the federal bench in California).

Send e-mail to this poster 10/9/2009 5:05:15 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 8720
Rating:9.8
Comments:
Smart, fair, and courteous. Demonstrates that a judge can be pleasant while maintaining total control of her courtroom. Should give seminars to Alsup.

Send e-mail to this poster 5/28/2009 1:31:12 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6525
Rating:9.3
Comments:
Judge Illston is smart, hard-working, fair, and (best of all) polite to counsel. She's a model judge.

Send e-mail to this poster 7/23/2008 5:54:10 PM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 6275
Rating:9.4
Comments:
I've been in front of her and can tell you she is brave, smart, thoughtful, and able to do what more judges should do - make tough decisions. People who complain about Judge Illston don't get it. She makes brave decisions. She personifies the reason for impartial judges who have their position for life. It isn't about the popularity of "Jessica's Law." It is about the law and justice. Judge Illston is what more judges should be. She is top notch.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/3/2008 11:00:28 PM

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: 3019
Rating:5.5
Comments:
Gives a chemist 3 months for "Clear" and allows Sex Offenders to walk and claims "Jessica's Law" is Punitive! That's what laws are for.

Send e-mail to this poster 11/9/2006 9:13:39 AM