Hon. Ivan L.R. Lemelle See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
E.D.La.  
Average Rating:4.1 - 12 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. Ivan L.R. Lemelle


Comments


Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24900
Rating:9.8
Comments:
He was fair and professional. At oral argument, he gave all a chance to be heard and asked questions that showed what he was thinking but gave litigants a chance to persuade him otherwise. He ruled quickly and gave a well-reasoned explanation of his decision. Not sure why all the negative comments, he seems like an excellent judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23982
Rating:1.6
Comments:
Ignores well-settled law to get the result that he wants. He is doing a huge disservice to the litigants that come before him seeking justice under the law, by forcing them to appeal to overturn his refusal to obey the law. It's a shame that people with this little respect for the law are appointed to the judiciary.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23945
Rating:4.4
Comments:
Outcome oriented. Will twist the law, or ignore the law entirely to reach the outcome that he wants.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23842
Rating:8.7
Comments:
Great Judge. Fast. Champion of working class folks. Not one of these ideologues that we get with today's appointments. No idea why his rating is so low here. I think the defense bar may just be hatin'...

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23008
Rating:2.5
Comments:
He is an example of the broad range of scholarship and personality on the federal bench as he resides at the low end of the spectrum for both. His apparent self-recognition that he is in over his head leads him to be rude while at the same time quite unprepared. Although I won my trial before him, overcoming his meddling and personal attacks in front of the jury were far more difficult than dealing with oppposing counsel. I wish him well but I hope to never appear before him again.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22652
Rating:1.7
Comments:
If he disagrees with your position in settlement negotiations and the case does not settle, he will roll over you during trial. He took over my case, questioned all the witnesses extensively, and displayed obvious bias in favor of the other party throughout. He did not understand basic legal principles and made several erroneous rulings. Overall, my worst experience in federal court.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12558
Rating:1.3
Comments:
The worst Federal Judge in the South. It is truly ashame that someone of his unqualified caliber is allowed to sit on the Federal Judiciary. Lawyers both plaintiff and defense want to avoid him like the plague because they know once he presides that the case will be appealed and overturned because of his misguided legal conclusions.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: 12285
Rating:2.7
Comments:
He cites Supreme Curt cases that he obviously doesn't know much about and tries to bluff you into a mistake. Someone needs to tell him that this is not a poker game - but real life for my clients. Obviously, he believes in using brashness as a cover for his lack of knowledge. The one great thing about having your case before Lemelle is that he is easily beaten on appeal.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11996
Rating:1.2
Comments:
One of the worst Judges in Louisiana. I've been in front of his court many times and have won some and lost some but the level of incompetence is stunning for a federal judge. He has a very difficult time grasping even elementary legal principles. I'll give him one prop though he was somewhat involved in the settlement discussions in three of my cases even though he had no idea what the cases were about.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 6561
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Calls it like he sees it, and will rule for you if you have the law and the facts on your side, which is more than you can say of many federal judges. Has a tough side to him, but is not beyond reflection, and remains approachable in debate.

Other

Comment #: 6554
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Horrible. Incompetent. Arrogant. Exhibit A for not giving federal judges lifetime appointments. Does not know the law, civil or criminal, though he thinks he's a scholar.