"The Robing Room: DC State Judges

Hon. Robert R. Rigsby	See Rating Details
Judge Superior
	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 4.5 - 4 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 8.0 - 2 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* 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=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Robert R. Rigsby

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: DC660
Rating:2.7

Comments:
In several decades of practicing law, I've never appeared before a judge that seemed less inclined to do any--any--work in a case, and when he did intervene, his rulings made absolutely no sense and required appeals that prompted the Court of Appeals to say, in essence, "WTF." If you find yourself before him, see if your opponent will agree to settle the dispute by coin flip, throwing someone in the river to see if they float, trial-by-combat, or some other random procedure that (in its randomness) will be more predictable than litigation before this judge. (I jest, but the point is that this judge might be perfectly capable of sound judicial rulings, but I would not know, because I've only see him BS his way through like a student that shows up to class pretending he did the reading.)

Litigant

Comment #: DC603
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I love this Judge! He is funny fair has the patience of Job. I did not prevail and ultimately filed an Appeal, but his Order was very well written, great citation and just a pleasure to read and study. Highly recommend and lucky you if you are assigned this great man.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: DC492
Rating:9.8

Comments:
One of the best judges in DC - very considerate of all parties and even-handed. Gives strong consideration to all of the issues

Other

Comment #: DC490
Rating:7.0

Comments:
I was a juror on a civil case where he was the judge. He was very upbeat and I thought he was courteous and did not try to dominate the case, he tried to let them litigate. What I didn't understand was how the case ever got to court. It was a 2 year drawn out affair over $2,000. There were 4 lawyers there. Maybe that is not the judge's fault and he couldn't throw out the case. There was no evidence of fault, so we ruled for the defendant. If we could have given attorney fees, we would have.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: DC418
Rating:4.3

Comments:
Personable and pleasant. Places a great deal of emphasis on courtroom formalities. Too eager to punt substantive proceedings down the road, so it's settle or be in limbo. Actively telegraphs how he might rule in order to give parties a chance to reach their own resolution. Treats pro se litigants respectfully, but not leniently and will not litigate their cases for them.
Aside -- his courtroom clerk is unbelievably nasty. Not sure if she moves with the judge or stays with the courtroom, so beware! Over multiple appearances his courtroom clerk made spectators and non-testifying witnesses leave during court matters that were not juvenile or abuse cases.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: DC224
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Possiblythe laziest judge on the bench. Maybe not the dumbestbut very close. Little intellectual curiousity. Never takes the bench on time often leaving people waiting for hours. Takes 2-3 hour lunch while napping inchambers. Does no preparation for cases and is often to distracted in Court to listen to the parties. A really awful judge who should be removed from the bench.