"The Robing Room: IL State Judges

Hon. Thomas A. Else	See Rating Details
Associate Judge Circuit Court
DuPage County Eighteenth Judicial Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.2 - 10 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 12 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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. Thomas A. Else

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL4328
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I'm a civil attorney. I had one experience with Judge Else. It was shockingly terrible, and I agree with the comments here. I don't understand how these judges are promoted.

Litigant

Comment #: IL4291
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Thomas Else hates women. If you're a woman, you'll lose your kids

Other

Comment #: IL4221
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Thomas Else is Literally the worst most unfair bias considering judge I have ever encountered
He will mock and make extremely derogatory remarks to you and your attorney in open court [Redated by Ed.]
He will yell at you randomly,pick on you and threaten to put you in contempt for literally no reason
He picks a side and makes all rulings in there favor without listening and looking at actual substantial evidence and proven facts
He will threaten to hold you in contempt based off of lies the opposing attorney claims without hearing your side and the actual truth of what happened
He will refuse your motion of right to substitute judge despite his actions
He will refuse you of your right to exemptions despite what the law states
He has no regards to your rights or actual laws which he feels he can overrule just because he wants.
My attorney has tried everything and the judge just ignores all motions, emergency motions,and actual Illinois laws
[Redated by Ed.] this case has been unreal and one sided from the start
He will listen to opposing attorney only but not my attorney
My case is still not done being heard but judge Else has already pretty much made it clear that he is going to rule in the other attorneys favor despite what can be proven in hearing my motion and seeing the substantial evidence of fraud committed by the opposing counsel
He accepted my motion to be heard yet made jokes about it in open court to the opposing counsel while laughing like the case is a joke and as if fraudulent behavior and lying under oath is ok(I have actual undeniable proof)
My attorney is already Anticipating that we will have to take this to appeal
[Redated by Ed.]
How is this man allowed to be a judge?
I have made a complaint and hope anyone dealing with this bias unfair condescending narcissist reports him.
He is seriously making our judicial system look bad and destroying peoples lives
It’s a shame that most people who encounter his court room have to waste attorney fees,tax payers money and the Supreme Courts time on appealing his bias and unfair rulings

Litigant

Comment #: IL4217
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This review cannot be discounted as a "sour grapes" review because I won my case since the law and facts made Judge Else unable to rule otherwise, although I know he would have wanted to rule against me:

Judge Else is the most condescending person (not just judge) I have ever met. Totally abusive to pro se litigants in Small Claims court. He has no business being a judge. He has a huge ego and is ill-tempered, impatient and uninformed, making him completely unsuitable to be a judge. I wholeheartedly agree with all of the negative reviews posted by others. File a SOJ motion immediately if he is assigned to your case because you can't do worse with whatever other judge you are then assigned.

Litigant

Comment #: IL4207
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Not to sound arrogant but my review should hold a little more credibility than most litigants since I really do know the law. While I am pro se, I have won 4 appellate court decisions pro se, including one against Judge Else! I have also compiled a record close to something like 115-5 in civil court.

But anyway, he is incredibly rude to pro se litigants. Now perhaps he is just made at pro se litigants because they are...well, pro se and maybe he is irritated they don't have counsel. But I think he got irritated at me because I was doing things he never saw a pro se litigant do and for some reason it irritated him. In fact one of my pleading evoked the following "you must have had an attorney help you out with this?" When I said no he did admit that I plead very well but it was a backhanded compliment. He wants to churn you out as fast as possible. He doesn't read anything from pro se litigants. As I told him in my 15 page motion to reconsider and memorandum, he was going to get reversed on appeal. Obviously he didn't read it or was just too stubborn and pissed at me because, as I said, the appellate court reversed him a couple months ago. And for one of the 2 positive reviews here against the 20 negative ones, I DID NOT LOSE! He is rude. He doesn't listen. He is disrespectful. He is truly a complete jerk. Everyday I wish I would run into him at the gas station or some other public place where I couldn't be held in contempt of court and tell him what a pompous, below average legally minded thinker, and horrible judge he is. If you ever go in front of him, immediately file a motion for substitution You are entitled to as a matter of right. No argument, as long as no substantive issues have happened. And even after that, you could still file a motion for cause. PLEASE get him off the bench. BTW, I believe he had an ARDC complaint filed against him when he was an attorney. That's a disciplinary board. LOL.

Other

Comment #: IL3775
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Extremely intelligent thoughtful and insightful, Judge Else is a terrific judicial representative.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3737
Rating:4.0

Comments:
I feel judge Else can put more effort into facilitating between family members. I was in this judges court room for about 7 months trying to serve for visitation and unable to do so. Asked him if I can subpoena for an address to be given from someone who knows and he said yes. He explains how subpoena works and tells you what you are allowed to say when the hearing day comes then you aren't given any cross examine to the person responding.21 days passes and you go back to report and discover the respondent failed to appear and answer.I have to dismiss you but not with prejudice thank God but he says because she is not here. Left hanging this judge will not intervene and address the wishes of a child , the history , hear witnesses or even have you come back if you locate an address to serve .The case was left open indeed however I have seen other cases that end in mediation order and that could have happened with an order to return to court for court ordered mediation . No regards to the family dynamics and no concern for the child .

Other

Comment #: IL3707
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Every review you see with 1 star is truth. Being in pro se myself he had me coming back for 8 months to status hearings and to let him know if I was able to serve. This is only for visitation of grandchild. Finally I asked for a request to subpoena to be able to serve and did so in his chambers. The respondent never replied and I should have been awarded an order to visit with another status hearing when I was able to locate a residence to mail the order to .And on the final day this spiteful cruel judge stares me down saying he is denying my request because he needs the respondent in his courtroom to facilitate. I even went to a lawyer who is close to him for an opinion who is now a judge in his place and he took my last $100 . The DuPage home town boys are nothing but a mob of bowery boys . Hateful to the bone.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3619
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A word to the wise. If you find yourself in this judges courtroom with a Pro Se case do yourself a favor and DROP THE CASE. You have absolutely NO CHANCE IN HELL at winning. This judge is the ABSOLUTE WORST I have ever dealt with. Totally biased towards other attorney's and crooked contractors. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!

Other

Comment #: IL3458
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
If anyone cared at that county they would get rid of him instead of continuing to demote him. He is destructive,the children unfortunately will suffer daily from his behavior.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL3386
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Although this judge seems to be easily scmoozed by female attorneys and litigants in paternity cases, he doesn't bother to research law before giving his arrogant, condescending opinions. Nonetheless, this judge is very impressesed by Thomas Else and no one Else. SOJ time. With any luck, he won't be reappointed.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL3364
Rating:3.6

Comments:
Not fair minded. Doesn't have a real sense of what the justice system is all about. It's not just the law. It's about justice. He needs to be more mature and quit making stupid remarks that he uses to reinforce a very insecure personality. It says more about him as a troubled-person as opposed to a good judge.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3363
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Legal knowledge is a necessary but not sufficient condition for being an outstanding judge. An outstanding judge is one with an even temperament, intelligence, understanding, a sense of fairness/justice and, above all else, wisdom. Thomas Else does not possess any of these qualities. I watched as he impatiently and testily treated a non-English speaker who brought a friend to assist in translation and then mocked them both to his clerks after they left the court room. I watched as he dismissed another case not giving the pro se plaintiff an opportunity to reschedule it. Thousands of dollars in property damage were involved. Any attorney would have received a continuance without debate. Else's qualities, if he has any, are third-rate. He does not belong in a court room.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3353
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Else is not only an embarrassment to the legal profession, he is an embarrassment to the human race. I acted as a "Plaintiff Pro Se" in my case. Judge Else never let me state my case, which I could have summed up in 4 minutes or so and connected all of the dots. He acted as a second defense attorney, constantly interrupting me and pretending that he just could not understand what I was talking about.
I attempted to bring up a statement that one of the defendant's employees wrote to his boss an official explanation on their official company
document on the day that the damages were inflicted on my house, and Judge Else REFUSED to even look at the copy I had brought with me.
Judge Else is a total ZERO.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL2779
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Thomas Else is a superb judge. He is highly knowledgeable and always prepared. He runs a tight courtroom and is a true straight-shooter. His rulings are always fair. It's his job to make hard decisions. Just because you didn't "win" doesn't mean he did something wrong. We will miss him when he is transferred out of this courtroom.

Litigant

Comment #: IL2693
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Treats pro se parents like garbage. Barely allowed me a testimony, DID NOT allow me to show any evidence I had, refused to acknowledge every time my sons father lied and called it irrelevant. I have a ridiculous amount of evidence and he didn't allow me to produce ANY! Our GAL was a buddy of his and all they wanted was money. These types of judges should be removed. My entire case was about who had more money not who can actually give a stable home and take care of a child.

Court Staff

Comment #: IL2513
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Thomas Else is a joke. Has multiple personnel issues in his life and is a terrible father and uses his position to take it out on other fathers. Lets moms get away with everything and refuses to listen to any testimony. When he catches mom lying on the stand he makes a joke and corrects her. Makes up his mind and makes threats to make it worse with no reason. Should be removed from this position to save the children of DuPage County.

Other

Comment #: IL2504
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge continues to show poor judgement, rudeness and severe lack of basic compassion. He should be removed immediately. Also, there should rules against any judge with such significant personal issues being placed in a family court position.

Litigant

Comment #: IL2503
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The judge should not be a Judge at all by ANY MEANS!!!!

Other

Comment #: IL2501
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Please do the children of DuPage County a favor and remove this judge. Thomas is an arrogant dismissive and completely careless old man. Disgusting that he is abusing his position of power and authority.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL2271
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Awful...it's an ongoing joke around the court house how little he actually cares.. despite all the talk about how he's "going away" he's still there and making decisions that affect the wellbeing of children and frankly; at this point, it is simply reckless..

Other

Comment #: IL2230
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This has to be the worst judge I have ever been in front of. I loath going in front of him because he is a miserable prick. I am having my case domesticated to my state because he is that bad. He never has your file on hand, you send the documents and exhibits to his clerk and still doesn't possess them. Talks to you like your an idiot. How is this guy a good representation of Dupage County Court? Please find a new profession.

Litigant

Comment #: IL2075
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He thinks he knows it all! Very rude to deputies, defendants. He thinks he's an andonis, on his own tv show. Total fool. He is a wanna be. $185,000 a year for this bias POS! He tries to embarrass who ever he feels the need to weather or not side has been heard, threatens with contempt.

Litigant

Comment #: IL2074
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I had a very difficult time with Judge Else. Both my lawyer and I found him to be rude and condescending. He was also insulting and harassing to the court recorder. Not a very good role model.

Litigant

Comment #: IL1913
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge says what's on his mind. Sometimes good, sometimes not. However, he told my ex at a hearing almost a month ago: "show some restraint" and to "not do this again" (because of the absolute idiocy of the motion he presented) what happens? less than 2 weeks later, my ex is taking me back to this same judge, on yet, another, friviouls motion. I wonder how Else will react since my ex is also pro-se

Other

Comment #: IL1657
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have been in front of 6 judges since 2005 for my family case and he is by far THE WORST....he treats people like dirt...totally condescending to PRO SE'S and attorneys. I am so sick of the bias that goes on in this courtroom I am filing to move. I am 100% convinced he and other judges like him are intentionally hard on PRO SE'S to keep them from coming back.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL1448
Rating:1.1

Comments:
This guy is a train wreck! Has no business being In family court. Cocky and smug.