Hon. Michael L. Rankin (DC) I appeared before Judge Rankin in 2011 for a civil case. Despite having a meritorious case (later confirmed by an appellate attorney), Judge Rankin was dismissive and displayed poor judicial temperament. Instead of considering the legal merits, he told me I "had too much time on my hands" and should "find a job." A few weeks later, he granted the defendant's motion to dismiss.His bedside manner was terrible. He seemed more interested in making condescending remarks than hearing the substance of the case. When I later consulted an appellate lawyer, they confirmed the judge had made the wrong decision legally. While judges need to manage their courtrooms efficiently, they also have a duty to hear cases fairly and treat litigants with basic respect. Judge Rankin failed on both counts in my experience. I would not recommend appearing before him if you have any choice in the matter. Litigant - (1/1/2025 9:54:10 PM)

Hon. Robert R. Rigsby (DC) 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.) Civil Litigation - Private - (12/19/2024 7:39:04 AM)

Hon. William M. Jackson (DC) I appeared for Judge Jackson for many years, and found him to be one of my favorite judges in D.C. Superior. He was always punctual, he was well prepared, and it was not uncommon for him to identify relevant legal issues that the parties themselves did not think of. He does follow the general tendency of some judges in D.C. Superior to deny motions to dismiss without seriously grappling with the legal issues, which causes problems later when he basically has to reverse himself on summary judgment (and the other side pleads "law of the case"). In one particular case, I believe he did not pay the case enough attention early on, but as the case evolved he was very, very attuned to it. I also had the opportunity to observe him handling other matters, and was particularly impressed with the way he handled pro se litigants: fair, courteous, friendly, but also not SO solicitous that it rendered the proceedings unreasonably unfair to the other side. The matter has been over for years, but I can honestly say that I looked forward to each appearance before Judge Jackson, and would consider him an excellent draw in any future case regardless of which side of the v my client appeared. Civil Litigation - Private - (12/19/2024 7:24:34 AM)

Hon. Shana Frost Matini (DC) I have spent a lot of time in front of Judge Matini, and believe that she genuinely cares a great deal about doing her job diligently and "getting it right" when it comes to the law. On the latter point, I do believe she falls short of expectations, but she is more capable than my average experience in D.C. Superior. I also do not know how experienced she is managing trials, but I think her ability to "get it right" suffers a bit by the time pressures of trial. That said, she tries very, very hard to be fair, and I would consider her to be a "good draw" for any civil case. Civil Litigation - Private - (12/19/2024 7:12:34 AM)

Hon. Carmen McLean (DC) Judge McLean submitted an "Order of Judge" into the records sometime after her ruling that was so egregious it was obviously not expected to be reviewed by the plaintiffs. I pointed out in detail where the judge interjected her personal opinions as facts, fabricated false testimony never presented by either party and basically narrated a false defense to "justify" her ruling. We filed a complaint detailing the fictitious facts to the District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, where it was reviewed and a statement was made by the Chairperson Hon. Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, "Upon review, the Commission noted that your complaint raises extensive concerns regarding the substance of Judge McLean’s legal and factual rulings." However, their ruling was, "... the Commission has dismissed your complaint in part for lack of jurisdiction and in part for lack of merit". However, the commission did recommend that Judge McLean immediately remove her incriminating "Order of Judge" document from the court records. I recently saw a piece on the news reported the extreme shortage of judges and how this is causing failures in the DC judicial system to be overlooked to the detriment of many good-willed litigants expecting justice. Litigant - (6/17/2024 7:01:17 PM)

Hon. Sherry Trafford (DC) ` I always enjoy having this judge, she is extremely fair, sometimes she does get on my nerve for being too lenient with pro se litigants but that's just DC superior Court all the way. She listens to attorneys and defers to them and guides the cases well. She also allows you extensions as needed without any fuss. Civil Litigation - Private - (4/10/2024 10:29:15 AM)

Hon. Shana Frost Matini (DC) The Bar is so low in SUperior Court that she comes out looking decent overall or maybe I'm too generous in my ratings. In any event, this woman had a problem with me from the moment she saw me. She immediately attacked me. She protects female lawyers. I think she is against black male lawyers. She wouldn't be the first judge to be so. When I'm attacked I defend myself. So, I gave her meanness right back to her. Not a pleasant judge to appear before. Not impartial. Tries to hide her bias or racism behind the rules. Don't let her bully you! Civil Litigation - Private - (4/3/2024 4:01:27 AM)

Hon. Carmen McLean (DC) Update to a previous rating (DC648). When decision was posted there was no explanation or Order of Judge to accompany the decision. We had no idea as to her decision making process. It wasn't until much later revisiting that an Order of Judge had been inserted. Judge McLean, in her Order of Judge, changed facts of documented testimony, hypothesized explanations to fit her decision and even cited false facts that are contrary to the submitted evidence. Judge McLean has shown a gross disregard for justice and extreme bias and unfair partiality exemplified by the obvious lengths that she went to justify her ruling. She should not be on the bench. Other - (3/12/2024 11:51:54 AM)

Hon. Heidi M. Pasichow (DC) It is astounding that she is this bad after being on the bench for 15 years. She often has no idea what is even happening and takes 30 minutes to figure it out and is usually still wrong. She does not understand the most basic criminal law concepts. The only positive is she brings both the prosecution and defense together in praying, hoping and wishing they do NOT have to have a case in her court room. Criminal Defense Lawyer - (3/4/2024 7:39:06 PM)

Hon. Sherry Trafford (DC) ` No judicial ability. Timid. Just employee punching in and out. No confidence. She advocates like an employee. No grasp of the law Should not be on the "bench" as anything. Civil Litigation - Private - (12/20/2023 2:59:24 PM)