"The Robing Room: MD State Judges

Hon. Donna McCabe Schaeffer	See Rating Details
Circuit Judge Circuit Court
Anne Arundel County 5th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.7 - 15 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 6.0 - 4 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. Donna McCabe Schaeffer

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: MD9491
Rating:3.0

Comments:
Judge Schaeffer shows a lack of seriousness. It's one thing to ignore a pervious ruling. It's another to burden one parent with the expenses of raising children, rather than sharing the financial responsibility. To then miscalculate child support figures simply because one can, while using a calculator, and ignoring requests to assist is roundly failing to treat litigants with respect.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD9424
Rating:1.3

Comments:
This is the most horribly, awful judge I have ever met. She is all for the defendants and she accuses plaintiffs for things defendants testify without any evidence. Plaintiffs can submit evidence and she does not bother looking at it and rule they are irrelevant. You can tell this judge was appointed to the bench for who she knows. If you want a fair trial, make sure she is not the judge. If not, you will get screwed over. She has no respect for the plaintiffs and is a racist. What a disgrace for Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.

Other

Comment #: MD9358
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Something does not mesh here. This judge mandated certain criteria to a Defendant in a child custody case to be resumed 3 months later. Upon returning to court 6 (SIX) months later with the defendant not being compliant to her mandates, these were her words..”well, let’s not go backwards”.

Why bother with mandates if you don’t care to enforce them? This is exactly how criminals are made, making the judicial system the ONLY winner because it means more time and money from the innocent which keeps the courthouse and those employed there running. Kids were involved in this case making it even the more nauseating to endure.

How does someone with such disregard for the innocent keep getting promoted?

There’s so much more that could be said here. We need to be very careful who we vote as judges, you never know when you will need one that has not lost their passion for the job!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD9027
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Terrible judge. If this is what a MD judge acts like in the state capital, I can't imagine how much worse it can be out in the hinterlands of the state. Take the robe away from this dangerous decision-maker.

Court Staff

Comment #: MD8442
Rating:10.0

Comments:
A pleasure to observe a Judicial member refusing to engage in the backdoor machinations other Judges enjoy. She remains concrete with her judicial oath unlike a few who allow a certain recognized unethical / unlawful law firm to rule the roost in Annapolis.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8438
Rating:1.0

Comments:
The worst judge to ever be appointed the bench!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish voters had a do over.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8374
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This is the worst Judge to ever take the bench!!!! She is rude, condescending, takes everything personal, flippant and just makes life for all inside of her court room feel like purgatory. She must have had some political connections to get on the bench, because she is disliked by the entire bar, courthouse staff and every single litigant that steps foot in her courtroom. If this judge is challenged- you lose; if she does not like a litigant- you lose; if she does not like your attorney- you lose. A real disgrace to the bench of Anne Arundel County.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8333
Rating:3.3

Comments:
appalling that she refused to postpone cases with attorneys dealing with COVID. refusing to postpone cases where attorneys have other cases pending and are keeping judges waiting. too big an ego! someone needs to keep her in check with her rulings

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8175
Rating:9.6

Comments:
I have tried a few cases before this judge. I have won some and lost some, but her rulings have always been spot on. She is smart and professional.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7978
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Very grateful Hon. Schaeffer does not engage in the backdoor machinations, politics, personal gains, and improper ex-parte communications that one other Judge in the AACC (PFHJr.) enjoys with unethical attorneys. She not only honors her judgeship, she presides with ethics and legal scholar.

The identified attorneys from a specific law firm who unfairly and wrongfully character bash Hon. Schaeffer in legal circles (documented discussions), are well-known for their ethical misconduct and sanctionable behavior. They not only manipulate human emotion by driving parental alienation tactics, they have a strong record in family law of exploiting children to push their dangerous collectivist ideologies for the greed of obtaining unlawful but favorable rulings.

This law firm accomplishes these tactics with the blessing of a certain judge. A judge recognized as someone without conscience or morals.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7971
Rating:2.1

Comments:
She should be removed as head of family law division. Every attorney I go up against, even the ones I don't care for at least agree that she is destroying family law in Maryland

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7952
Rating:7.9

Comments:
The negatives are too much, as are the positives. She knows family law cold, and is a good choice if drawn. Understands taxes and assets, and rules with the law in all cases. Is not as experienced in other areas, but can be taught if things are explained. So, a good judge, early days, and will probably improve with time.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7749
Rating:2.3

Comments:
You should only want this judge if your lawyer is from one of the "favorite firms of Annapolis" or she is part of your lawyers social circle. Everyone else gets a bad deal

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7613
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Agreed with the positive comments involving Hon. Schaeffer. Judge Paul Harris Jr. is in need of following in her footsteps regarding ethics, morals, and lawfulness. Judge Harris failed in all three categories involving Family Law cases and arrogant enough to display his abhorrent conduct in proceedings.

Thank you Hon. Schaeffer for honoring your Oath and presiding over Family Law matters with evenhandedness Her decisions are carefully rendered via lawful conclusions based on facts, statutes, and evidence.

An outstanding addition to our bench.

Other

Comment #: MD7609
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Schaeffer is the most knowledgeable member of the bench on the most common type of case before the bench (family law). Attorneys who know what they are doing, and who are prepared, hope she gets their case. In cases of ALL TYPES, Judge Schaeffer treats lawyers, parties jurors, court personnel, and witnesses respectfully and professionally. Very highly regarded by all.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7560
Rating:3.6

Comments:
She really only knows domestic law and is glad to show off how much she knows, but does not seem to care what is fair for the parties. She and Master Muskin should write a book together.

Other

Comment #: MD7323
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
No doubt Mr. Toad of Toad Hall charged his client for drafting his negative review of Judge Schaeffer. On the positive side, Judge Schaeffer is one of the most thoughtful, patient, and intelligent members of the bench. She is very highly regarded by the bar.

Other

Comment #: MD7322
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
No doubt Ears or a member of that firm drafted the negatives below since three of the words were voiced by the firm in third party discussions. Fortunately, Hon. McCabe Schaeffer is among one other AACC judiciary member not easily fooled nor influenced by this firms lawless tactics. She's acutely aware of their shenanigans and unscrupulous conduct & refuses to swim in this breed of legal morass.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7321
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Not ready for this position. I've litigated lots of cases, and I can see she's in over her head. Not smart, not polite. Her elevation to the bench is suspect. I'd stay well clear of her courtroom if you want a fair and intelligent umpire.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD6853
Rating:1.0

Comments:
You can tell her appointment to the bench was all political. Not competent. Not scholarly. Racist.