The Robing Room

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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. Lynn N. Hughes

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 35439
Rating:1.7

Comments:
The worst judges come from Texas. They all know better.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 35434
Rating:7.8

Comments:
I have been before Judge Hughes in the past. Media attention has provided some attorneys' opinions of him. I have not seen this. His expectations are that each attorney properly and timely represent their clients. He has little sympathy or respect for those who do not, and it appears he has seen a great deal of this.

Other

Comment #: 35064
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Southern District of Texas” and a panel of Fifth Circuit judges seem inclined to agree with the local bar that he is the worst posible judge in the system.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 34620
Rating:1.0

Comments:
His law license should be revoked and he should never be allowed in a courtroom again.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 34482
Rating:1.0

Comments:
the most ignorant uncivilized man I have ever had the misfortune to meet.
The rule of law he does not understand nor care.

Other

Comment #: 34158
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Lynn Hughes is simply a bad judge. He has shaken my faith in the justice system. He knows how to manipulate a case to favor who he believes should prevail. He is often wrong on the law and clueless as to the realities of business and technology. He makes bias statements in open court and in his orders and memorandums creating a record that will forever live on the Internet.

The scary and most disturbing thing about this judge is that he knows when he does something wrong but also knows the 5th will do little about it and that's if you can afford to go to the 5th. He controls the case and takes on the job of his favored counsel bleeding out the opposing party until they settle or are crushed by the cost of his ridiculous demands for discovery.

I had a simple trademark case that he drug out for over 2 years.

The only way I got out from this fools court was to file bankruptcy and force it to bankruptcy court which the other party immediately settled in my favor.

The fact that his judge has this much power as do federal judges needs to be addressed in the future. These bad judges can destroy lives. And the really bad ones like judge Hughes know they can get away with it even when they know they are wrong under the law.

If you get Judge Hughes I pity you. He is simply an idiot in a robe with a god complex. Either withdraw your complaint and file in another district or settle fast. Sadly, those are the best options other than filing BK.

Other

Comment #: 32972
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Lynn Hughes is the biggest joke of a judge. We were in against Bank of America. In a fraud forclosure. Our outtorney pulled it out of hos ct 2 times. Becaise they are in bed with him. Should be against the law. He threatened to throw my attorney in jail if he didn't stop this case. He said he was going to squash my husband like a bug. He also said he dont care what anyone said this is his ct and what he says goes. Hes a sosgrace. Its all a rigged system, i see that now. We had the same case on another district ct judge under him that won. And our lawyer told him that. His response was What? Well im going to have to talk to him. He's just stupid. Cost us 70k. That was rediculous and still paying and now our attorney is trying to charge fees for an owing balance. Well i can tell you i think that's illegal and im not paying it. I still owe 34k and everyone said thats highway robbery what he charged us for a foreclosure. Not sure what to do about it. Itsnow 5 years later still paying. Rediculous.

Other

Comment #: 32873
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I've never had a judge where I thought they deserved to be removed until I met this one who I think it should be the life work of anyone in the judicial field to work to make sure this person doesn't represent their careers.
I don't know where to start. I'll start at the end.
Wasted $80k Circuit Court of Appeals (5) through out his orders and then sent it BACK to his court, yikes! What a waste of money. He ordered such weird and expensive discovery that no one even ASKED for, but then the attorney's had to charge to go through mountains of data that included like 700 emails from walgreens photo labs, and tens of thousands of other things you can figure out. How about family photos that had NO bearing on the case? Do you know how much time it takes to go through and remove ALL photos from frames and scan them to give to your lawyer? How degrading? Note, this wasn't a family or otherwise trial, had more to do with a breach of contract. He decided on day 1 who he was supporting and allowed one side to do everything, denying discovery of one party. He denied all motions and such (one part of the appeal we won). He messed up so bad, the 5th circuit had to slap him AGAIN. I won't even get into the fact that we had a minority woman lawyer, VERY BAD IDEA in this court. You better have a middle age white male who wears a suit, white shirt, red tie. What was Regan thinking??? We didn't even belong in this court, it was a state issue, but he took it on with a federal portion which was removed by BOTH parties the first week. 3 years later, 80k later, we won, we won nothing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 29884
Rating:2.3

Comments:
Arrogant and incompetent. Lazy. Sexist and abusive. An embarrassment to the legal system. Ignores Federal Rules and law--rules as he wants based on his gut instinct without even considering the attorney briefs, argument, or cited and applicable law. Worst judge i have ever seen--true contender for worst judge in the USA. Should be removed from the bench for cause. Thinks he is king.

Litigant

Comment #: 27185
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes fails basic adjudicative responsibilities to be dignified and respectful in performing his duties. He berates both plaintiffs and defendants. But he does not appear to actually invest time in understanding the issues before the court. And while many of his bad decisions will be reversed by the Court of Appeals, he will waste your time and money with his reckless behavior.

Judge Hughes appears to want, more than anything, for you to laugh at his jokes. He's not particularly funny or clever, but just laugh and hope for the best.
Hughes is moderate in sentencing. As for positives, he is punctual.

Other

Comment #: 24307
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes deliberately allowed a fake Indictment and conviction against Mr. Tommy Alexander Sr. and then sentenced Mr. Alexander to 7 life sentences plus 406 months to run concurrently, on a non-violent drug charge. Now he refuses to give Alexander his 2 pt reduction and 18:1 which Congress and the sentencing committee handed down in 2008 & 2011 for non-violent drug offenses because he feels he can get away with it.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24254
Rating:2.0

Comments:
The worst federal judge I have ever appeared before. Make sure there is a record at the initial Rule 16 conference, as he is likely to ask the defense lawyer to prepare a summary judgment motion immediately. The best way to deal with him is to make your record and reverse him at the 5th Circuit.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24237
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is a disgrace. Great example of why lifetime appointment has serious drawbacks.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23897
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Meanest and most unfair judge I have ever met. Very unprofessional and rude. He will purposely ask you questions about your case that do not matter, just so that he can scream at you for not knowing the answer. Challenge his unfairness and he becomes irate and will scream at you. He did not allow us to proceed with discovery at the Rule 16. He told the plaintiffs what he wanted produced and gave unreasonable timelines for doing so. The defense did not have to produce anything. His goal is clearly to scare the parties out of court. I am shocked he is allowed to remain on the bench. He even called his law clerk "boy" (the clerk is white) and thought it was funny. He wants you to laugh at his jokes and then is screaming at you the next minute. A disgrace to the legal system.

Other

Comment #: 23493
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Racist and unfair.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23463
Rating:3.2

Comments:
The Judge is biased against Plaintiff's lawsuits. The Judge is biased against people generally, including those who file a lawsuit to obtain your socials security disability benefits. The Judge likes corporations and companies and will do anything to favor them, no matter what the law is.

Other

Comment #: 23425
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
During my nearly 30 years as an FBI Special Agent, I had several criminal cases that landed in his courtroom. Hughes is the textbook example as to why we should not allow federal judges to have a life time appointment. He is awful and I observed him to be senile. Here is my suggestion: Before anyone is considered to serve as a USDJ, they must have been employed in law enforcement or as a prosecutor for at least five years. Hughes is clueless with respect to the challenges and obstacles that federal law enforcement face every day. He has called the FBI “jackbooted thugs”. If Hughes’s daughter was kidnapped, who do you think he would call? The FBI of course. One of his erroneous comments that I observed was that law enforcement cannot lie. Really? DOJ and FBI policy does allow, in certain circumstances, agents to lie. If agents could not lie, how the heck do you operate a Group I or Group II (undercover operations). In those cases, the undercover agent must lie obviously. Hughes is non compos mentis and needs to retire!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 23349
Rating:3.3

Comments:
Judge Hughes continues to overreach the bounds of law, and drives attorney fees to skyrocket by ordering information which is not pertinent to the cases that are at hand. He has forced release of Facebook, Twitter, and other account passwords which are not pertinent to the case, and an abundance of other information.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22915
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
People who rate Judge Hughes low are those who are unprepared, unintelligent, or unwilling to work hard to resolve matters as he is extremely intelligent, hard-working, thorough, and dedicated to the idea the court can help quickly resolve disputes. He doesn't have patience for those who wish to try to BS their way through matters or who desire to add delay and costs. He is a great judge for anyone willing to to be informed and prepared.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22678
Rating:4.2

Comments:
He is probably the worst

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22345
Rating:2.7

Comments:
This judge is punctual. It's the only positive I have for him. He prejudges your case from the outset. He will limit the discovery, literally choking off the FRCP and imposing his own set of rules for litigation in federal court. He will spend the least amount of time possible considering complex issues and will often get the facts and the law 100% wrong.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21779
Rating:1.8

Comments:
Time has passed this judge by. He has lost all sight of objective reality and all that remains is his own deluded, regressive, and bigoted world view. The absolute worst judge I have ever been before. He also tends to display split personalities, one second wildly haranguing Plaintiff's counsel for bringing 'frivolous' suits, and the next telling some non-sensical story that he expects everyone to laugh with him about. More than just strange, this man is a disgrace to the federal judiciary and to justice.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21611
Rating:2.2

Comments:
The 3/6/2014 comment sounds like it was written by Judge Hughes himself, or one of his cronies. Judge Hughes is as far from integrity, honesty and justice as Earth is from Mars or the sun. He is such a disgrace to the judicial bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21610
Rating:9.0

Comments:
I have handled cases representing both plaintiffs and defendants in front of Judge Hughes, and I have not found him to be biased in favor of one side or the other. What Judge Hughes expects, though, is for attorneys who appear before him to be familiar with the facts of their cases and to be prepared to intelligently discuss both the facts and the law of their claims and/or defenses. Judge Hughes does seem to have a tendency to make up his mind early in a case, but I find that his opinion is based on his view of the viability of the claims and defenses, and is not strictly a bias in favor of the defense, as stated by many commenters.

Other

Comment #: 21441
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes may have the title of "judge," but in no way, shape or form has he attained the stature of what a judge represents: honesty, integrity, and the ability to render a fair, impartial and unbiased decision. He is amoral, and has a "god complex." He will be judged as he has judged others.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21432
Rating:2.3

Comments:
He's terrible. But what's the use of telling you that, unless it causes you to file in state court? Because once you have Judge Hughes, you have Judge Hughes. So, if you're here because you were just assigned Judge Hughes in a civil case, I hope that you're a large corporate defendant. He will screw you six ways to Sunday as fast as he can if you are a plaintiff. It is very clear that he disregards the law. He refuses to even let cases under certain laws go forward. He prevents a plaintiff from performing discovery before telling a large corporate employer to file an MSJ. This judge is just terrible.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21412
Rating:2.3

Comments:
He is an awful pro-business judge that has no business serving on the bench. I was closely following a securities case (in which he decided against an investor and in favor of a brokerage firm) that was outrageous, vindictive, and horrible. His trial court decision was quickly and summarily reversed by the Court of Appeals, but it caused much needless delay, as well as pain and suffering to the investor. I pity any non-Fortune 500 plaintiffs that come before him. I'm a member of the fourth generation of practicing lawyers in my family, and I think that Judge Lynn Hughes is a disgrace to his profession.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21324
Rating:2.2

Comments:
This judge is unbelievably biased. He hates plaintiffs and could not care less about the law. Prior to discovery, Judge Hughes dismissed the plaintiff's case sua sponte, even though defendant admitted liability in court, on the record, with only the scope of discovery and damages questions left to be resolved. Even the defendant's lawyer could not believe the outcome, though of course he kept his mouth shut. He is a prime example of why serving as a federal judge should not be a lifetime appointment.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21307
Rating:2.0

Comments:
This is the worst federal judge sitting on the bench today. If your client is of any color or ethnicity, he or she will lose any civil case, may face contempt charges just for Judge Hughes's sheer pleasure of throwing them in jail due to their race, and may as well just go away and never look back. He should have been censured from the bench, but instead he just sits and waits to be the senior judge. (Now that will be when the nightmare truly begins.)

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 21049
Rating:2.2

Comments:
The cruelest human being to ever don the black robes of the Federal judiciary. Makes fun of attorneys' illnesses. A complete embarrassment to the judiciary, that more than deserves to be impeached.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 20926
Rating:4.5

Comments:
Likes to attack counsel by making vicious "jokes" about them.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19925
Rating:2.2

Comments:
The mental state of this judge has deteriorated from being merely eccentric when I first encountered him and appeared before him in the Late 1980's to the present date when he has lost all touch with reality. He is incompetent and is an embarrassment to the Federal Judiciary. The antithesis of all to which a Federal Judge should aspire. Detested among his Judicial colleagues and the Bar for his arrogance and self aggrandizement. Woe be unto him for her with the misfortune of appearing in front of this one. Just stay quiet- speak only when he addresses you and get out and writes motions and responses about his arbitrary and insane rulings.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 19610
Rating:2.0

Comments:
I am very concerned that injustice and improper judicial behavior may be the norm in Lynn Hughes' court and not just unique to my personal case and experience. I am doing research on potential improper judicial behavior by Lynn Hughes for both a formal complaint I am filing against him and a book I am writing about corruption in the federal judiciary. If you had or know of a case of concern in his court, may I have the case number and any other information you are willing to provide? Bullying is wrong...especially when done from the bench by a federal judge! Thanks.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19466
Rating:2.2

Comments:
The worst judge I have encountered in any jurisdiction. Judge Hughes picks the side he likes early. He then does everything in his power to cause the other side to withdraw its case, including threatening sanctions, making baseless sua sponte motions, ignoring improper conduct by the favored side, inviting ex parte conferences with the favored side, and granting dispositive motions that have no basis in law or in fact. All of this is calculated to lead to the result he wants (i.e. the disfavored side withdrawing its claim or accepting a poor settlement) without giving the Fifth Circuit the chance to reverse him if it gets the chance. The result is that cases get trapped in his courtroom for months or years. Judge Hughes should not be on the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 19371
Rating:3.0

Comments:
The only law that applies in his court is Lynn Hughes Law. Like others said, makes up his mind ahead of time, and generally favors large corporate defendants. You can tell from his attitude which side he favors and which side he has contempt for. Every other judge in the Southern District of Texas, even the ones with a reputation as being hardasses, is light years better.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 19304
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Its not about "love" or "hate." Its about a person occupying a federal bench who "doesn't care about 5th Circuit, Supreme Court, rules," procedure, Justice or the Constitution; who evidently also doesn't take human, civil, or ulegal rights any more serious than you suggest he takes himself. Those who "love" him, get his unmerited favor; those who are get his. unmerited unfairness, just want him off the bench. The only hate apparent comes from him it seems.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 19302
Rating:8.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes has a great sense of humor and he does not take himself too seriously. He is a very controversial figure. People either love him or hate him. He is well reasoned, and will take the time to flush issues out Pretrial. He is a civil libertarian. Hates rules, will look past them. Ignores the 5th Circuit and the US Supreme Court. If you represent a civil defendant in any thing other than a due process claim or a claim regarding fraud, you will prevail in his court. If you represent a criminal defendant in anything other than a crime against a child, treason or fraud; your client will do we'll in his court.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19289
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Hughes was on the defense side (a major corporation) from the very beginning. He did not care about the facts of the case or the law. Instead he talked about his personal life. It was so obvious that he was disregarding the applicable law that I felt he had to have been bought. Worst judge I've ever encountered.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19261
Rating:5.3

Comments:
I doubt Judge Hughes gives a damn about this article or ratings or anything having to do with lawyers perceptions of him. He could give a damn about the Fifth Circuit's perception of him also- not a damn thing anybody can do about it. i have been on his bad and his good side- I think he has a high intellect and just gave up on the system- he is marking time to retirement. Sad

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19182
Rating:3.2

Comments:
Without question, the worst judge I have appeared before in 22 years. Prejudges the outcome from the outset, refuses to allow any reasonable discovery, solidly and firmly defense oriented in personal injury matters, irrational, vindictive, and is childlike and visceral when challenged. Actively takes over the defense, telling them what motions to file and when, who to depose and why etc. Simply the worst, and an embarrasment to himself and the profession. Not surprisingly, he is the most reversed judge in the fifth circuit .

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 19057
Rating:8.6

Comments:
A very fair judge. Not really biased towards the government or defense, but moderate on sentencing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18812
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Lynn Hughes misuses and abuses judicial authority in the most horrific and obnoxious manner which gravely denigrates the integrity and greatly diminishes the positive perception of the judiciary. Judge Lynn Hughes should be removed from the federal bench.

Litigant

Comment #: 18469
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was a pro-se litigant in Judge Hughes court. Judge Hughes recognized me as a pro se litigant. Later, Judge Hughes filed a complaint (LAWSUIT) against me; claiming I was representing myself as an attorney, which is totally false. Two years later - I am still in litigation as a defendant vs. Authorized Practice of Law.

Litigant

Comment #: 18084
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes has had my case for going on three full years and has, to my honest knowledge, done nothing. It is against a huge corporation that caused excessive damage, both financial and emotional and my attorneys have proved it with expert witnesses depositions, documentation and the defendants OWN testimony and written correspondences. They have nowhere to run now and yet Judge Hughes refuses to allow the case to move forward because I have refused to settle and want a jury trial. I think its really sad when Judges are allowed to hijack the Constitutional right of EVERY citizen to a SPEEDY TRIAL and to be heard before a Jury of their peers. I have asked my attorneys what the statute of limitations is on having my case heard and they replied, "There isn't one". And they are afraid to request that he finally do his job and allow me my day in court, because "If we RUSH him, he will rule against us." This is what our courts and judicial system have devolved to, following right alongside our government in to moral decay. We tried to remove the case back to the state and he refused to allow it and he refuses to hear it. What a complete and utter contempt for justice this displays about his character.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 18017
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Wants to make up his own rules. Case law means nothing. "Prove me wrong on appeal." Decides cases before they begin. Unwilling to set own personal bias aside. Disservice to the process.

Litigant

Comment #: 17281
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is egotistical and rude.
I do not think that he can ever be unbiased.
He is a bought Judge and should be removed

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13918
Rating:2.6

Comments:
He is unfair and bias towards defendants with money. Mortgage cases he is dismissing left and right without giving the plaintiff the opportunity to do discover or any of the other pretrial development of their case. He will research the attorney and the client. If you have no clout behind you expect your case to be messed over eventually dismissed.

Justice is not in this court beware if your client is not a big company or a person with wealth. I wonder if he is taking money on the side.

Other

Comment #: 13543
Rating:1.0

Comments:
"Lactation" was not a part of being Pregnant!!! And then ruled in favor of a suite filed by a white "man", against a city contract program, MWBE, that ensured women is considered for a small percentage of the City's business contracts. How did this neanderthald get on the bench!!! When are the judicial elections ??!! He has got to go!!!

Other

Comment #: 13384
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This dis-honorable being of law (lessness) has abused the title, the people, and the truth for WAY too long. For people like this?-well there should be a reason to have testing EVERY YEAR for their minds. He ruins peoples lives with his EGO. I'm appalled at the consousness of your beliefs to allow him to HAVE A job!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 13207
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Unquestionably the single worst judge in the Southern District of Texas. Any of the posters below who extoll his virtues must have represented defendants before him. Plaintiffs have no opportunity to conduct discovery and certainly no chance when he orders up summary judgment motions on demand. He has no interest in either the facts or the law. An absolute disgrace to the federal judiciary.

Other

Comment #: 12649
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Thank you Judge Hughes for compelling The Great City of Houston Texas to abide by it's charter, it's ordinance and it's contracts.
The Great City of Houston is the worst violator of it's own ordinances.

Houston Citizen

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12304
Rating:3.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes chose the defense side early on and then turned every meeting with counsel into an opportunity to abuse the plaintiff's side. Being prepared made no difference, as he made his rulings with no regard to applicable law and would not tolerate any oral argument on the law which actually applied. He's smart, arrogant, biased, and one of the worst judges I've ever had the misfortune to have a case with.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12294
Rating:2.8

Comments:
Civil - He does not follow the law not procedure. He s prejudiced and does not want to hear the facts. He is nasty and vicious. He is the worst judge I have ever experienced in 32 years of civil litigation.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12182
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Lynn Hughes,

J is for judicious which he is not
U is for unethical which he is
D is for demented which he is
G is for government which he ignores
E is for egotistical which he is

This judge has no compassion and favors past acquaintances. He ruined an individual's livihood and life because he did not view the facts of the case. The plantiff's dismissal from a medical residency based on other than performance was ignored by this ruler of the courts.

Other

Comment #: 12144
Rating:1.0

Comments:
pre-judges - very rude and nasty
The way these federal judges are appointed is disgraceful.
Depends on which boy's club you belong to-nothing to do with their knowledge of the law which they completely ignore.

Litigant

Comment #: 12142
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Lynn Hughes should retire and go live in Galveston, Texas and walk the beach all day.
He favors the defendent's side especially since the defendent's lawyer was a former law clerk.

Other

Comment #: 12121
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Very egotistical. Does not look at the facts of the case. Mean, unetical, and has no compassion. He violates the Hippa Law as well as other laws. He should be removed from the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 10233
Rating:3.3

Comments:
He is on time and rarely falls asleep.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 10173
Rating:4.5

Comments:
This is the worst Judge in the state of Texas. He is very similar to Judge Kent in his temperment. He is incredibly unfair to plaintiffs and hates plaintiffs attorneys. He does not follow the federal rules. He is a great example of why judges shouldn't be appointed for life. He should be impeached.

Other

Comment #: 9937
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
A fair, honorable man who does not tolerate dishonesty, disrespect, or underpreparedness. Rightfully, he commands efficiency and precision, in court and in written motions. He cuts through complexity to reveal the important and focuses there. If he seems arrogant, it's because he really does knows more than you do about most things.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: 9876
Rating:2.3

Comments:
Pompous and arrogant,Texans deserve far better than this. Judge Hughes is, quite frankly, a disgrace to the judiciary.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9829
Rating:1.5

Comments:
Thinks he's charming and cute, but he's pompous and arrogant. He does not follow the rules of civil procedure, particularly with respect to discovery. He calls counsel into chambers, picks sides early, and then allows only limited discovery (sometimes just against one party). His "targeted" discovery steers everything toward the summary judgment outcome he desires. If he picks the other side, you better try to dismiss quickly.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9710
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Lynn Hughes should be impeached. He lacks a judicial temperment, and shows bias to one party over another the minute the parties enter his chambers. He prefers to conduct hearings in chambers so that he can railroad the parties. He has no respect for the law or appelate courts--it's basically one capricious and usually wrong-headed man deciding how things should be. He is the worst judge I encountered in my legal career.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 9385
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Those that criticize him probably just did not get what they want out of him. But, out of all of the judges in the building, he is nearly the only one that sees the Constitution as a shield rather than a sword. He is a scholar and has a healthy distrust of government and a healthy distrust of power. And, after all, isn't this what every judge should be like?
I have tried many cases in front of him and on those that I lost, I have walked away feeling like my client was treated very fair. He has never permitted the government to take shortcuts and he gives the defendant the benefit of every doubt, understanding that this is what the Constitution requires. When he is gone, there will probably not be another who can take his place.

Other

Comment #: 8623
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes presented a program entitled: "Dilemmas of Trust" on May 5, 2009. The audience consisted of Geologists, Geophysicists, and Engineers. His presentation was very interesting and thought provoking. It's 45 minutes well spent listening to a very well informed Judge who has thought and taught ethics. He obviously enjoys analyzing carefully, and talking about it! His style is low key, but enthralling. I give him a 10 on content, but a 9 on elocution. Get him to speak to your group. You will be pleased.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 8341
Rating:1.5

Comments:
Texans deserve far better than this. Judge Hughes is, quite frankly, a disgrace to the judiciary.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7968
Rating:3.7

Comments:
Decides who he likes and does not like in a case and proceeds accordingly, in a high-handed manner. Likes the fact that he is regarded as a maverick. If he's with you it is a great experience. If he is against you -- God help you! I have been on both sides through the years. Not what a judge should be. I must say -- he has a great sense of humor, somewhat sarcastic.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7888
Rating:5.2

Comments:
Very goal-oriented, he will get the result that he wants regardless of the law. He proudly believes that he is the ultimate in legal writing and often creates confusion.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7685
Rating:2.8

Comments:
Very opinionated. Appears to be goal oriented in his decision making process. I concur with the "monumental ego" comment.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7508
Rating:1.3

Comments:
He incorrectly thinks that he is the master of the
English language. He constantly rewrites the circuit pattern jury instructions, but it only makes things worse.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6428
Rating:3.8

Comments:
Favors large civil firms, places his law clerks with them if able, and has a monumental ego.

Probation or Pretrial Officer

Comment #: 5894
Rating:9.4

Comments:
Judge Hughes is wonderful. He is immediate in his proceedings and fair. Judge Hughes does his job well and with pride.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 5166
Rating:1.3

Comments:
"Abandon hope all ye who enter here" - this judge is a poster child for black robe syndrome. Needlessly arrogant toward parties and counsel, he doesn't follow the law or procedure as detailed by CTA-5, and is actually proud of his pompous refusals to do so.

Absolute nadir of SDTx judges, and among the worst federal judges I've seen. anywhere.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 4950
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge is mean, nasty, outrageous and obviously biased toward corporate defendants, particularly banks. Has a limited ability to think and reason, hidden by nasty screaming personal attacks on lawyers and tirades.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 4919
Rating:6.0

Comments:
Avoid Judge Hughes at all costs. Despite a high intellect, he has a complete disregard for civil statutes and precident. He chooses "his side" early and does everything possible to make the other side's life miserable irrespective of the facts. Plaintiffs beware! One of the more reversed Judges on the 5th Circuit. As the saying around town goes: "Sometimes you just get Hughesed."

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 4328
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Probably the meanest, rudest judge I've ever dealt with. If he hates your client the criminal defendant, he will go out of his way to attack both you and your client. I will do all I can to avoid Judge Hughes in the future. Mean, nasty, and highly petty. I've heard he's better in civil cases, but hopefully I'll never have to find out for myself.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 3310
Rating:7.3

Comments:
Once he makes up his mind-which may be fairly early in the case-the losing party is in for a long and difficult ride. However, he is always a gentleman so even the hard ride is not personally unpleasant for the lawyer.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 3143
Rating:7.1

Comments:
He is always looking for a way to resolve a civil case within 90 days of his scheduling conference, and suspects that most lawyers are obstacles to that goal. You'd better walk into the conference with a plan for some quick discovery by both sides and be ready to produce important stuff soon. But if it doesn't settle in 90 days, he often loses interest and lets the case languish.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2977
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Hughes is a true even handed intellectual. We are fortunate to have such jurists.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2947
Rating:8.5

Comments:
I really like Judge Hughes - He is smart, relaxed, & he gets to the heart of the matter quickly. I haven't always prevailed in his Court, but I always left believing that he was trying very hard to follow the law. That alone puts him head & shoulders above most federaL judges.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 2938
Rating:4.3

Comments:
Once excellent judge has gotten very old and his decisions in civil cases are now often erratic and confusing...generally speaking, he shows an obvious bias towards the common man and has little respect for statute based actions (Patent, Trademark, etc.)

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 1810
Rating:8.7

Comments:
He is quick to figure out who is good or bad and the rest is downhill for the bad guy. If you can schedule a conference in chambers, he can be quite engageing and courteous to counsel.