Hon. Berle M. Schiller See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
E.D.Pa.  
Average Rating:5.0 - 11 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. Berle M. Schiller


Comments


Other

Comment #: 23920
Rating:3.0
Comments:
Had a chance to make case law on a case and knew it was the right thing to do but would not because it was subject to political backlash on him. As stated in prior comments he does try to tip the scales.

Send e-mail to this poster 10/18/2016 11:33:37 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23430
Rating:5.0
Comments:
Judge Schiller's demeanor has worsened over time. He has no compunction about demonstrating his feelings about cases, the litigants and their counsel. He is harsh on the bench and, simply stated, unfair. Even winning in front of this judge is unpleasant.

Send e-mail to this poster 4/26/2016 9:42:15 PM

Other

Comment #: 12707
Rating:10.0
Comments:
"Tries to tip scales. Yells and acts out on the bench. He decides motions before even hearing a word from attorneys so anything you say does not matter. Be warned that his temper is that of someone who needs the power of the seat. Good Luck if you have to try a case in front of him also make sure you get everything on the record so you can take his decisions to the next level."

Response From 11915:

There should be no need to "hear" what you have to "say". Your motion should speak for itself. He DOES respond to motions to reconsider under local rule. Only a schmuck does NOT have "everything on the record". Had my case not been dispensed with, of course there remained reason for appeal, especially when attempting to set a precedent. It's just part of the job. As for his attitude, I rather be flattered with the honesty of a ball-buster than patronized by a "sweet" judge. Your comments are NOT justified.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/7/2011 4:21:46 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12686
Rating:2.2
Comments:
Tries to tip scales. Yells and acts out on the bench. He decides motions before even hearing a word from attorneys so anything you say does not matter. Be warned that his temper is that of someone who needs the power of the seat. Good Luck if you have to try a case in front of him also make sure you get everything on the record so you can take his decisions to the next level.

Send e-mail to this poster 8/1/2011 11:38:33 AM

Litigant

Comment #: 11915
Rating:10.0
Comments:
I am a pro se non-attorney litigant who never spent a day in a college classroom. I have, however, over 45 federal lawsuits under my belt. When I file a case, I pray for two (2) things (literally). Firstly, that my case is not assigned to Rufe, who is utterly incompetent. Secondly, that my case IS assigned to Hon. Schiller. One of the few judges who unmistakably actually READS the complaints, motions and responses (and if he doesn't, he makes sure he has a helluva qualified clerk staff who do). I find him both compassionate and fair. It never appears as though his first priority is to reduce the number of cases on his docket. While it may seem a back-handed compliment, anyone with an issue with Hon. Schiller never had a case before Rufe. If they were so cursed, they would come back to this site and applaud Hon. Schiller.

Send e-mail to this poster 1/22/2011 11:07:55 AM

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 10487
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Judge Schiller is, without question, what a real judge should be. He makes certain to read everything and become knowledgable about the case and, from the bench, is very actively engaged in the proceeding. He is extraordinarily fair as well as compassionate and is probably one of the fairest forums over in the federal courthouse. Moreover, he cannot be bullied and, in the end, will do what he perceives to be the right thing.

Send e-mail to this poster 6/30/2010 3:43:53 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9893
Rating:1.7
Comments:
It is unbelievable that he would decide motions before receiving any opposing motions

Send e-mail to this poster 3/9/2010 10:45:25 AM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6099
Rating:1.5
Comments:
Judge Schiller should stop asking his clerks to submit comments to support him - like the last two comments. The first two comments are on target. He's a screamer and a bully and won't read papers because he thinks he is still in state court and, no, we don't want to see the gratuitously slaughtered animals on display in his chambers no matter how passionate he is about killing them.

Send e-mail to this poster 4/28/2008 5:43:59 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6060
Rating:9.6
Comments:
I would agree with comment #6059. It seems that those who posted the negative comments must have lost their cases and decided to blame Judge Schiller.

Send e-mail to this poster 4/14/2008 3:46:16 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6059
Rating:8.3
Comments:
I have found Judge Schiller to be very knowledgeable, even-handed, and capable of making us better lawyers for our clients. He makes us present our case in an efficient manner. Is that a bad thing? The attorneys I know want to be in front of him for trials. I look at the trophies in his office as someone who loves the outdoors and has a passion for something. Is that a bad thing? As a member of the Bar, I am embarrassed that someone posted what they did.

Send e-mail to this poster 4/14/2008 2:40:18 PM

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 5893
Rating:2.0
Comments:
Bully. Not a bright or hard worker. Okay at state level. Disappointment at federal level. Doesn't let litigators try their own cases; tries to put his fingers on the scale.

Send e-mail to this poster 3/12/2008 7:02:19 PM