"The Robing Room: IL State Judges

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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. Michael F. Otto

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL4251
Rating:7.9

Comments:
I had a bench trial before him and his observations of some of the witnesses was mind-blowingly bad.

One manager claimed my guy was blatantly insubordinate multiple times, and that HR simply did nothing, (before the protected complaints were made), and there was no inference from that. (just an example). In the employment law context, the per-complaint insubordination were clearly fairy tales made up to dirty the Plt, but Judge thought they were legit.
I should say my guy was no angel, so some of the blow back was expected, but Deft repeated inconsistencies were of no merit while Plts were lies.Also I am up on Appeal in other case, also astoundingly bad ruling.

I think it is result of lack of employment law experience, he clearly had a HR/Defense mind set that HR does no wrong and plt/employees are liars.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL1064
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Great judge, incredibly smart and prepared. A great legal mind. We need more Michael Otto's on the bench. Fair in every respect. Highly regarded among his peers. I cannot say enough good things about this Judge.