"The Robing Room: MD 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

What others have said about Hon. Ronald B. Rubin

Comments

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1912
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
" He does not suffer fools lightly and would move from being a really good judge to a great judge if he could hold his temper in check and be more tolerant of the less intellectually gifted." Less intellectually gifted? Oh please spare me. He wasn't even a particularly good attorney. If Rubin is prone to pre-judge as you admit, then he could not possibly "always get it right," and apparently most of the commenters agree that Rubin is seriously flawed. I'm 3 for 3 on Rubin appeals in the COSA, and I'm not unusual.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1904
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To Comment #1902. Why not identify yourself? Concerned about what your less intellectually gifted colleagues who practice before His Smartness and know better might think of you?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1902
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I agree with 1900 below. It is a pleasure to have a judge on the bench with great intellect and who reads every word of every motion. He almost always gets it right. He does not suffer fools lightly and would move from being a really good judge to a great judge if he could hold his temper in check and be more tolerant of the less intellectually gifted. (I am a 38 year member of MC Bar, not related or friends with J Rubin)

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1901
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To Comment #1900: If you are not Judge Rubin or a family member, would you please care to identify yourself? Certainly, it would benefit you the next time you appear before His Smartness to let him know how highly you regard him and condone his extreme lack of patience and prejudgment tendencies.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1900
Rating:7.9

Comments:
While I don't condone his extreme lack of patience, he is a very, very smart judge who picks up on the smallest point and knows the law or will look at any law offered. He doesn't suffer fools well, but I found him to display some extreme patience at times. He may prejudge, but that is the attorney's job - to convince him that his prejudgment is incorrect.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1865
Rating:1.0

Comments:
My own experience with this judge has always been problematic. The Rubin war stories I hear from fellow attorneys who've litigated almost anything before him is always negative. I always opt for for a jury trial when possible in the off-chance I will get Rubin, McGann or one of 2-3 other judges. It's always better to put your faith in the wisdom of a jury than a judge, but it is true wisdom to avoid Rubin under any circumstances. Some here have complimented Rubin on his legal scholarly legal knowledge. What an amazing assortment of comments on this page. I decline to compliment Rubin on his legal knowledge, which I find hit or miss, because he is completely unable to apply fact to law, and because he pre-judges cases and often shows obvious bias by interjecting commentary during trial before a jury.

Other

Comment #: MD1850
Rating:1.0

Comments:
We need a ZERO. Since there are so few marks above the lowest allowable, I wish there was a way to find out who makes the rare very high, laudatory remarks - Rubin, his family, etc? No one else thinks he's anything other than terrible. If I email someone, do I get a reply?

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1834
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I think that once we reach 100 comments about how horrible a " judge " he is - it merits firing him. FIRE HIM NOW! PLEASE.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1819
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
P.S.: Message to Judge Rubin. Stay off your computer during opening remarks and testimony. Distracted Judging is downright dangerous.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1818
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am genuinely perplexed by this judge. He prejudges everything, and does not allow whatever party that is in disfavor to make his/her case. He usurps issues of fact by a variety of means, is rude to counsel, and in his haste to short-cut a trial often, no usually, gets the law wrong. Unlike some here I gave Rubin low marks on scholarship, not because he is stupid, but because of the haste that gives rise to errors. I think it's because he's lazy and wants to get cases over with. This is not a bad thing of itself if only his ability to mediate a settlement fairly was above a '1.'

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1810
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To Comment #1786: If you are not judge Rubin or a family member, would you please care to identify yourself? Certainly, it would benefit you the next time you appear before His Smartness to let him know how highly you regard him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1809
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Rubin is a dictator and a schmuck in a robe. Because he remains on the bench despite his utter failure as a judge - laughable to even call him a judge - the whole judgeship thing must be overhauled. There has to be a continuous merit system for judges to stay on the bench. Because many just go bad / lazy after 10 years. This one of course was a bad seed from the get go. It kills me that good tax dollars are wasted on him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1787
Rating:1.0

Comments:
All the bad things about Judge Rubin set forth below are true based on my own experiences. He is by far the worst Judge in Montgomery County and the absolute last judge I would ever choose to litigate a case before unless that case was completely unwinable, then I'd have a chance. Anyone who thinks Rubin's decisions are appeal proof obviously doesn't know of what he speaks. The only thing that makes his decisions hard to appeal is the costs of appealing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1786
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Very smart Judge. His ruling are well thought out and he leaves little room for appeal.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1785
Rating:5.4

Comments:
Judge Rubin is exceptionally bright and scholarly, but arrogant to a fault and boorish. He is a bench bully. His ears are closed except to the ruminations in his own head. He is combative, disrespectful, and will talk over counsel. He inappropriately commented on issues within my complex fact and law case that were not before him, which tilted the balance of the case and settlement prospects to the other side. He smiles because he has so much fun on the bench showing his audience how smart he is. He wants counsel to grovel before him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1731
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
"Judge Rubin . . . awarded shared physical custody to a father, despite the fact that the father was unemployed, had no vehicle, had no access to public transportation to interview for jobs, was months behind on his rent, and his home lacked hot water, heat, and a functioning gas stove."

I heard about this case and wondered which judge could be so incredibly stupid. I also heard this decision was made during the winter. Figures it was Ronald McRubin

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1673
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Some of you have suggested filing complaints about Rubin with the board of professional responsibilities and with the Honorable Robert M. Bell, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. These are good suggestions. However, a letter to the Honorable John W. Debelius III requesting that Rubin receive no further case assignments until an investigation and assessment of his judicial performance to date be undertaken and completed might be a better option and one with quicker results beneficial to the citizens of Maryland and Montgomery County. In his position as Administrative Judge for the Sixth Circuit of Maryland, Judge Debelius is responsible for case assignments in the Montgomery County Circuit Court and, implicit in his responsibility in this regard, is an obligation to assign cases only to qualified judges. I trust that, if any of us decide to write Judge Debelius to express our concerns about Rubin’s qualifications as a judge, he will maintain the confidentiality of our communication provided, of course, we ask him to do so.

Other

Comment #: MD1669
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I with there was a zero. He did every bad thing he's been accused of in the one case I followed closely. Isn't it odd that the very few comments that aren't very negative are extremely positive. There seems to be no middle ground - I wonder if he writes the good ones himself.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1667
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Disgrace as a judge. I can't figure why he wants to be a judge except as a power trip and to see how much misery and turmoil he can spread. He's too smart to be so incredibly stupid.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1665
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Last time I was before Rubin I was not disappointed. Arrogant, condescending, and devised a theory of law no one could follow, and didn't give me an opportunity to challenge his nonsense. The appeal is a certainly to win, but I am tired of the unnecessary expense a Rubin trial poses. The only reason Rubin scores above McGann is because Rubin comes on this site and pumps his own numbers. NO ONE I know respects him as a jurist, and for good reason. Unfortunately, the powers that be at Crownsville are reluctant for some reason to boot this guy. This board needs a zero rating, because I don't think Rubin deserves a "1"

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1664
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To 1659: Thank you for your comments and sound advice. I agree -- "Life is too short" -- but, when the time is ripe, I intend to take whatever steps I can to shake "this moron," as well as one other equally disgraceful so-called jurist in Montgomery County (MC),i.e., Terrence McGann, from my "craw" in an effort to protect: (i)the citizens of the State of Maryland and MC from judges who give lip service to justice; and (ii) the reputations of competent MC jurists from guilt by association with these two. And thanks so much for your rating of "this moron" so that he remains cemented in his position as the second worst judge in MC (next to McGann) and the seventh worst in the entire State, although, at this point, I think he deserves to move up in that ranking. Stay tuned for my postings in this site for both Rubin and McGann.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1659
Rating:1.0

Comments:
To 1648
Assuming you get even 50 people with enough guts to speak out - you will never be able to this joke ronald off the bench. We have a circuit cout judge in Charles county who took the air out of the car of a cleaning lady who mistakenly took the judge's parking spot. What happened to him? Public reprimand 30 day suspension. Still on the bench. It's not even the investigative attorneys at the judicial disabilties commission's fault. It's the judges who make up the commission who are covering the asses of the incompetent judges. So I feel for you but have adapted to the corrupt system. Life is too short to have this moron stay in your craw. Just avoid the likes of him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1648
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Wholeheartedly agree with well-deserved criticisms – particularly “arrogant, biased, horrible, incompetent, petty, petulant, temperamental, disgraceful, etc.” He recently ruled against me on petitions for judicial review of State administrative agency decisions. I would also add that he is a Great Prevaricator. Before issuing his bench ruling on my petitions, he stated that he had prepared by reading the parties’ memoranda in the file when, in truth, it was patently obvious that it was only the State’s memoranda he had read. It’s a good thing that Rubin isn’t placed under oath during court proceedings. He is also lazy, cowardly, and laughable (but not in a good way). As he was concluding his terse and vacuous bench ruling, he slowly swiveled his chair in the direction of his chambers’ door and, upon completing his ruling, he quickly jumped from his chair, ran toward his chambers’ door and exited the courtroom as if his robe was on fire, leaving me with mouth agape and no chance to shout “objection!” Several months earlier during a status conference, he exited the courtroom in the same fashion after arbitrarily and capriciously consolidating my petitions, but, at least not before I was able to object on grounds that consolidation would result in prejudice and confusion. And that’s another of Rubin’s traits – “arbitrary and capricious.”

I would be interested in meeting and discussing with anyone who is interested what action we can take, perhaps colletively as a group, to assure that Rubin either changes his ways or is removed from the bench. Please feel free to contact me by email if you would like to discuss further.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1563
Rating:1.0

Comments:
If he doesn't allow an expert in your case to testify its because he's already decided against you. You can appeal and waste money and a good year or file a complaint to the judicial disabilities commission. A letter to judge bell wouldn't hurt either.

Other

Comment #: MD1544
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
" He rules sua sponte from the bench and argues his brillance in the middle of arguments". That's our boy, Ronny. Who needs experts anyway?

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1539
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Rubin is the worst Judge I have ever had to appear before in a criminal jury trial. I was EXTREMELY prepared. He would not allow an expert, he was smarter than the expert. He is smarter than everyone in the room at all times. He rules sua sponte from the bench and argues his brillance in the middle of arguments. He is argumentative, rude, angry. He turns red and shuffles papers. He is a bully, he is demeaning, he is brutal. He is the most arrogant, awful man I have ever been before in a 20 year career and he needs to be taken off the bench. I have won in front of him as well. It has nothing to do with whining, or not being prepared--he is rotten to the core. If this site meant anything at all, and Judge Bell really took it seriously, how can Judge Rubin still be on the bench?

Other

Comment #: MD1522
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Made a summary judgement when there was a clear question of fact. Actually stated that the plaintiff was either crazy or a lier. The plaintiff had two depositions. In the first one the plaintiff said "I don't know" to a lot of questions; the plaintiff wrote down all the questions they didn't know the answer to. In the second deposition, the plaintiff was able to answer the questions. Rubin unanimously stated that this purported inconsistency made the plaintiff "crazy or a lier." This was an unfair ruling in summary judgement because there should never be a ruling on credibility - as it is in and of itself a question of fact. It appears that he just wanted to get rid of a case instead of considering that his role is to evaluate the facts, use the MD rules and make a fair ruling.

Other

Comment #: MD1521
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
To comment MD1517, I respectfully say stupid is as stupid does. No, he isn't as dim as many other judges. However, he lacks a judge's temperament. He prejudges cases and choreographs from the bench.. His sense of superiority doesn't allow him to tolerate being corrected when he makes a mistake of law, which is often. Maybe one day he will improve. I doubt that will happen as he's shown no improvement to date.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1517
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
the fact that 57 people have seen fit to post reviews on this judge speaks for itself. He is a bright man. Unfortunately he needs to be the brightest man in the room. If he could just realize that his job is to serve the public and that a little patience and forebearance (even of fools)is a big part of that, we would all be better off. I think he is capable of change and can become one of the best.

Litigant

Comment #: MD1487
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
"He decides things, which is what you want in a judge."

No, I want a judge who decides issues fairly based on facts and law. Not what Rubin does. His stupidity I have learned is legendary in Montgomery County

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1474
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He lacks real world experience. Not in touch w reality and human experience. No doubt he can brief and be an academic but that's for the appellate courts. He's not a good trial judge for the regular citizen. Maybe for the lawyer litigants who can speak his language. He's not a true trial judge as he can't hear people and decide. He decides on pleadings in his office and then sits on the bench and pretends. Ask any law clerk.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1473
Rating:9.6

Comments:
I have appeared in front of Judge Rubin several times. I have won and I have lost. But in each case I found him extremely well prepared. He certainly has his views, but if you have an argument, he's willing to listen, until he's not. What he will not tolerate is stupid, including stupid arguments. He decides things, which is what you want in a judge. I have to take the negative comments with a grain of salt. They look like losing litigants and their clients all writing something on the same day.

Other

Comment #: MD1438
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Just a piece of advice to all you very unsatisfied attorneys and litigants.

File a complaint, because as bad as it is now, the possibility of a Judge Rubin of the Court of Special Appeals should frighten everyone.

Other

Comment #: MD1432
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge must be investigated and indicted by grand jury for criminal acts. No judges is above the law. This Judge concealed professional misconduct and criminal acts of David A. Ross Esq. and Joyce N. Jacobson Esq. Judge Ronald B. Rubin displayed the appearance of bias protecting lawyers verses providing and impartial hearing. Routine abuse of power is taking place with many judges in Montgomery County Md. who believe they are above the law and immune to criminal prosecution. Expose their criminal acts and demand their removal and prosecution. We need to remove all bad judges willing to abuse the public for their funding and the profit of lawyers. We need to demand the legislation investigate and remove this judge, he should have his assets seized and any retirement garnished for the victims his biased actions have damaged. Demand the removal of all corrupt/biased judges.
Expose how lawyers in Maryland promote each other into legislative power in violation of Maryland's separation of power defined as supreme law in the Maryland Constitution's Declaration of Rights Art. 8.

Litigant

Comment #: MD1429
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I will just say as a private litigant that the naysayers are correct in my opinion. Apparently, he really does have an unfortunate penchant to misapply law, and in my case blew threw every semblance of procedural due process. I am an attorney, but not a Maryland attorney, so I know a bit about what I speak.

My divorce attorney (a good guy) called his affliction "robe-itis"

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1426
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Recently completed a civil jury trial before J. Rubin. We lost the trial, but we had no complaints about how the trial was handled by the court. Most importantly, even though the verdict went the other way, our client affirmatively commented that he felt he received a fair trial from the judge. J. Rubin let both sides "try their case" and patiently and thoughtfully considered arguments and requested voir dire and instructions. He did not rule entirely for either side during the trial. Rather, as should be expected, he appeared to decide the issue/objection/motion/instruction on the merits.

Other

Comment #: MD1414
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Rule 8.2(a) A lawyer shall not make a statement that the lawyer knows to be false ...

Pull a handful of CDs from any given day, and every critical post of the Honorable Judge Ronald Rubin can probably be verified.

Comment MD1406, appear before him once or twice, then see if you still have the same opinion

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1413
Rating:1.1

Comments:
Judge would be a good law clerk for a federal justice. Good with memorizing case law and writing briefs or opinion like a law clerk. However a complete terror as a judge. Guy can't even fake being impartial. Advice: when he comes on the bench and looks at you with contempt and smiles at the other party - get out of there!

Other

Comment #: MD1411
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Based on the court CD of a recent case, he is rude and ruthless, and he came to trial already having made a decision. He'd had had favorable legal interaction with a witness for the side he favored and should have recused himself, but that's not the worst of it.

Other

Comment #: MD1406
Rating:8.0

Comments:
Never appeared before him but I just read a long opinion of his on a corporate law matter and it was thoughtful, well reasoned, comprehensive and cogent -- and came to the right result in a case in which neither I nor a client had an interest.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1404
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Comment #1402, I just read the Yagman decision. Nowhere would comments like that of # 1393 be sanctionable.

Other

Comment #: MD1402
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Anon, I don't know J. Rubin or the other Mont. Co. judges in your 8/10 and 8/11 postings. If you are an atty, don't asumme they are protected speech. See Yagman, 55 F3d 1430.

Other

Comment #: MD1401
Rating:1.0

Comments:
To the "Other" who gave comment # MD 1400:

How would you rate Honorable Judge Rubin?

Are you Judge Rubin? You sure sound like him on the bench, citing case after case to show off.

If you are Judge Rubin, please be less arrogant and less bias and stop threatening free speech.

If you are Judge Rubin's fan, please provide your specific reason why you like him. That is your free speech. No one will threaten you.

Other

Comment #: MD1400
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Last poster, Your remarks probably violate MRPC 8.2(a), and may expose you to a suspension. See, Bd. of Prof'l Responsibility v. Davidson, 205 P.3d 1008 (2009); In re Riley, 691 P.2d 695 (1984). See also, In re Madison, 282 S.W.3d 350 (Mo., 2009); Anthony v. Va. State Bar , 270 Va. 601 (2005); In re Nathan, 671 N.W.2d 578 (Minn., 2003); Miss. Bar v. Lumumba, 912 So. 2d 871 (2005).

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1393
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I too have heard Judge Rubin brag about his "complex litigation" skills all while he invents new theories to end a case without letting the litigants contest his many factual and legal errors. The only person who could possibly think "Judge Rubin is one of the brightest judges on the bench" is Judge Rubin. Everyone else knows better.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1383
Rating:4.6

Comments:
As one poster put it - Rubin should never have been appointed. He is too amazed with his own brilliance, and he thinks the rules of procedure, evidence and so on are for other people less brilliant.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1372
Rating:1.0

Comments:
To the man below. Rubin is a terrible judge and never should have been appointed. Despite the overwhelming sentiment that rubin should resign he is holding on for dear life to a job he is unqualified for. He does not choose a side based on sex or race. But realize that he will choose a side to win before a trial or a pretrial event. That my friend is what makes him the worst of the worst to wear a black robe. File a complaint with the judicial disability commission. There's been plenty filed and the more filed the faster this guy can be forced to retire or resign.

Litigant

Comment #: MD1367
Rating:1.0

Comments:
If there is a minus 5 I would use it to rate this absolutely terrible, unfair, arrogant, and argumentative judge. The entire trial he was web surfing to cite more cases to argue with my attorney. If was as if he was giving a lecture on case law and not ruling on the evidence. He coached the defense attorney on how to ask a better Objection so he can sustain it. He said that alimony could be ended by bankruptcy (wrong!) and immigration lawyers do not have a confidential relationship with a client because they only collect needed papers for INS (wrong again). If the Plaintiff is a man and the Defendant is a woman, watch out, man. He is going to side with the Defendant. Look weak and act weak seems to be the only way to get Rubin to side with you.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1364
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Judge Rubin is one of the brightest judges on the bench. He is well prepared and thoughtful. He could work on his temperment a bit, I agree. He has no patience for lawyers who are unprepared or who make dumb arguments in court. That, however, is not unreasonable reaction in my opinion.

Other

Comment #: MD1323
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Rubin is terrible. I worked for attorneys for years & watched many Judges in action. Unfortunately, I had the misfortune of being involved in a Domestic Case with Rubin as Judge. I agree with the other comments, he is petty, biased, arrogant and he does pre-judge a case before hearing all the evidence. His rulings are not based on precident and in the case I was involved in he actually put a complete lie in the final document, an incident that neither party claimed nor testified too! How can we get this man off the bench?

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1300
Rating:2.0

Comments:
Judge Rubin has numerous attributes that make him unfit to be a trial judge: arrogant, temperamental, petty, spiteful and biased. He pre-judges cases and makes decisions before all the evidence has been presented. This causes him to pick sides early and favor one side during the rest of case. If he makes a mistake in judgment, he is too proud to reverse himself or even consider that he was wrong.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1294
Rating:4.1

Comments:
Terrible Judge who is frequently reversed on appeal. He makes up his mind quickly and does not allow litigants to fully develope their case. He runs a rocket - docket and is more interested in disposing of cases than letting teh legal process run its course.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1276
Rating:3.6

Comments:
I have been generally very disappointed in my experiences with Judge Rubin (and there have been many). I find his decisions to be impulsive. He has appeared to personally dislike one of my clients and one of my opponents and tailored the case so that the more likeable party won in front of a jury. He also takes leaps to rule that material facts are not in dispute. If clients were more willing to face the backlog of the Court of Special Appeals, I believe he would be frequently overturned.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1274
Rating:1.6

Comments:
Massively insecure. Mood swings. Petulant. Unreasonable. Capricious. Biased. Often he will suddenly lose control and stomp off the bench for absolutely no reason. Prides himself on quoting cases - but gets them wrong. Prides himself on quoting the Rules - but gets them wrong.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1266
Rating:1.1

Comments:
It all makes sense now. Once he's decided who will win before trial, he will rig the trial that way, including making the witnesses of the "already lost" side look like they have a credibility issue. He mocks them during their testimony. On the cold record no one can tell that he's already decided and he gets all the judicial deference for being "able" to observe the credibility of a witness. Wow, he's smart in a con like manner. Truly a disgrace to the bench. Will have to avoid him at all costs in the future.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1236
Rating:2.5

Comments:
I have tried cases to judgment before Judge Rubin and have won and lost. Even winning before Judge Rubin does not feel good because you know the process was flawed and unfair.

Judge Rubin lacks judicial temperament and good judgment. He can be pleasant, fair and reasonable, but his personality and lack of judgment often prevent this. He is certainly bright enough to be a judge, but his efforts to prove how smart he is lead him to do stupid things. He definitely prejudges cases and then manipulates trials to try to make them turn out the way he wants. Some of his conduct is childish, such as smiling and nodding when the favored side is testifying and frowning and grimacing when the disfavored side is testifying. Other conduct is more insidious. Every decision "within the sound discretion of the court" will go against the disfavored party. He will sua sponte make objections and even suggest motions for the favored party, which he then grants. He will make a snap ruling on a difficult legal question and then refuse to back down even after he realizes he ruled incorrectly.

Based upon discussions with other lawyers, Judge Rubin does not seem to hold grudges against either lawyers or parties. He can be completely unfair to you in one case and completely unfair to your opponent in the next. The constant is that he will be unfair to someone -- you just do not know who in advance.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1223
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Someone mentioned in here his "I handled complex litigation" speech. The Court of Special Appeals just gratuitously cited that speech when reversing him in Viallouros v. Tolson this week.

Other

Comment #: MD1218
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Rubin is a disgrace for the American justice system! He is extremely biased. Not the only one, but clearly the worst I have ever seen.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1199
Rating:3.0

Comments:
He is basically insecure, but bright. If one considers a baseball analogy and he's the umpire to call balls, strikes and plays at the plate. He can't resist playing in the game by taking a few times to hit, a few plays in the field or pitching a few innings to demonstrate his ability, as he sees it. He improperly injects himself in every case and often argues the case for one side or the other sua sponte. He suggests objections to the side he favors and makes faces in a jury trial when he doesn't like your argument. He needs to be sent to a judicial training school or step down from the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1177
Rating:3.3

Comments:
This guy is arrogant to his core and has the WORST temperment in Montgomery County. He thinks he's a genius and loves the sound of his own voice. I've been before him about five times & tried cases before him to verdict. If I have to hear one more war story about his days as a grand poombah complex litigation defense lawyer, I think I'll puke. He is totally biased (towards whoever's the defense, except if one of his buddies is the plaintiff's lawyer). He prejudges literally everything and he will go out of his way to cite some obscure case on an (at best) tangentially relevant point of procedure or common law, whilst trying to make himself look smart (and you look bad in front of your client).

A colleague recently summed it up best when he joked to me that he wanted to start a "Ron Rubin" for CoSA club. The same lawyer pointed out to me, and I agree, that the guy's also almost bi-polar; you never know if you're going to get a nice Ron Rubin or flippant, arbitrary, scary one. Neither version is what you want in a trial court judge, though. Run don't walk, folks.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1148
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He heard my divorce case. Clearly he had made up his mind before the trial. Opposing counsel had Rubin by the leash. If Rubin's nose could have been any closer to counsel's back side - well... After the first 30 minutes of trial, it was a matter of how badly this "judge" was going to screw me to the wall. It's been awhile since this judge has sat on a family law case. And let it be that way until he leaves the bench. Hopefully sooner than later. His ignorance and lack of wisdom is only matched by his arrogance. If there can be a lower rating than 1 - I'd give it to him. Hands down.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1143
Rating:1.0

Comments:
His citation of cases are generally flawed. He does his research before his trials because he is inept as a judge. He needs to decide the case before the trial so he can cite cases and direct the trial towards the winner. Probably does this so his odds are less likely overturned on appeal. COSA is the only watch dog of these circuit court judges. Rubin is horrible.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1127
Rating:1.3

Comments:
More people should formally complain about this guy.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1125
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is simply terrible.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1103
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He's a want to be federal judge but just can't get his act together. He thinks too much of himself and yet so insecure - you can see it when you have to come before him. Putz with a first year law degree.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1088
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Yes - He is a horrible judge. Paying a politician to be elected is one thing because you can always vote him off but paying to be judge when you are not qualified - impossible to get him off the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1073
Rating:2.8

Comments:
A horrible judge. The most biased judge I have ever encountered. He often quotes caselaw - but many times he is wrong. I had a trial with him and three times he quoted a case for the wrong legal proposition. When I called him on it things did not go well for me or my client. But I could not resist particularly since one of the cases he was incorrectly quoting was MY CASE from many years ago.

He is so bad a group of three other judges reversed him in a case. That is unheard of in legal circles.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1067
Rating:1.0

Comments:
it's a crap shoot with this judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1057
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Does not have any sophisticated knowledge in criminal, juvenile and family matters. Not even handed in any litigation - does not even pretend to be even handed.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD1030
Rating:1.1

Comments:
This guy is so pretentious that he wants to appear as if he's a walking law library. But be careful - his citations are not very accurate. He likes to rattle cases out to support the side he has determined to win (before trial) even though those caselaw may not be on point. He's a walking law student -- lacks wisdom and sound discretion that is the cornerstone of a good judge. He's bad judge all around. I also heard he's not allowed to hear domestic cases. Someone filed a complaint against him. A well known domestic attorney made it a point at a hearing that he was contacted and interviewed by the disabilities commission re Rubin.

Litigant

Comment #: MD1017
Rating:5.0

Comments:
This guy is the walking law library and can cite any caselaw off the top of his head. Dont try to pull any quick ones on him as he will put you in your place. For those attorneys that challenge him- and you are wrong- he will put you in your place. He calls it like he sees it.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD972
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Arrogant and condescending. Rubin is a dis-service to the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD968
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Arrogant and self-involved. He thinks he is brightest person in any room. Lacks impartiality. Pre-decides cases. Known to prejudge before commencement of a trial. He is an utter failure as a judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD940
Rating:1.3

Comments:
Completely lacks judicial temperament, impartiality and scholarship. Another MC judge who should resign.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD929
Rating:1.8

Comments:
WELL known to pre-decide cases. Probably because he's so insecure and self promoting and wants to look good by citing cases on the bench for the side he's pre-determined to win. He should retire early. No,NOW.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD874
Rating:2.4

Comments:
This arrogant disgrace of an excuse for a judge needs to be fired. What has the judgeship pool come to. He's bias, arrogant than any other judge I've ever seen. Makes his mind up before hearing any matter before him. That makes him dangerous and incompetent. Him staying on the bench is like sending a message that the judicial branch of MC is completely defunct.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD862
Rating:2.6

Comments:
Agree with other commenters that he is more interested in self promotion and proving how smart is (thinks he) is. Unfortunately, he lacks self awareness and his arrogance and middling intellect make it a dangerous combination. Not able to grasp complex concepts and invests heavily in his own impressions, so he cannot be swayed. not able to make tough decisions and often just denies all motions on the same day, same time, with one word orders. Finally, MOCO has a reputation for being a country club where judges lack objectivity and are biased. I unfortunately felt this was borne out; the rulings were so irrational and his mercurial no one ever knew what to expect. He's also the only judge in a long career that jurors seem to hate. I heard he has been hoping for a federal appointment, though that's proabably a rumor put out by him...god help us all if that comes to pass.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD837
Rating:5.7

Comments:
Judge Rubin lacks objectivity and/or is gullible. He awarded shared physical custody to a father, despite the fact that the father was unemployed, had no vehicle, had no access to public transportation to interview for jobs, was months behind on his rent, and his
home lacked hot water, heat, and a functioning gas stove. Judge Ruben believed that these "minor" problems could be solved by ordering the father to become employed and pay his gas bill and rent. Several months later, Fortunately, another judge awarded the mother full custody when the father failed to comply with Judge Ruben's wishful order.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD818
Rating:6.4

Comments:
Very bright and knows the law. Unfortunately, he is too focused on showing everyone how much he knows that he loses sight of the important issues he needs to decide. Very arrogant. Not a great judicial demeanor.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD699
Rating:3.7

Comments:
My experience with MC judges is that they believe that they are untouchable. Find most corrupt and Rubin is one of them. Biased is the least of Rubin's problems. He's unfit to be on the bench. He lacks the temperment and impartiality -- any bozo attorney can research law and apply it to the facts. But Rubin wants to be the lawyer that he never was in his wife's practice and now lawyers on the bench. He's a complete disgrace.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD678
Rating:9.6

Comments:
Judge Rubin was an excellent trial judge. He knew the facts of the case and understood the law. He was prepared and expects the same of the attorneys. I wish we had more like Judge Rubin on the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD662
Rating:2.9

Comments:
The only judge to cite law (though incorrectly at times) the way appellate judges do during oral argument. Judge Rubin lacks the impartiality and temperment to be on the bench. He does decide cases before trial starts and will advocate for the side he pre-determined should win. I've heard this too many times to the point it no longer is just judicial misconduct, it is a disability. Truly a disgrace to the American system of justice as I know it because when you lose objectivity and advocate on the bench, it's a system more akin to communism / fascism where trials are merely a farce. How does one get rid of a bad judge? Why should the tax payers have to pay this political appointee a salary - a political appointee whose ego will never allow him to change his ways.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD448
Rating:3.3

Comments:
Arrogant is the word. While some believe that he actually possesses some intellectual ability he is merely showing off his insecurity in his questioning and baiting of counsel. He decides the side he favors in advance then forces the trial that way.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD419
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Just completed a condemnation (eminent domain) trial in front of Judge Rubin. It was his first such trial as a judge and he had never handled such a case when in practice. The case had a very complicated valuation issue. Judge Rubin thoroughly researched the issue (beyond the briefs submitted by counsel)and fully disccussed the issue with the attorneys before making his ruling on the issue. He gave an excellent trial. He expects trial counsel to know the rules of evidence. He will let counsel try their own case (extensive voir dire, extensive jury instruction conference, may approach the witnesses, display exhibits to jurors, etc.). In short, his handling of the procedural and substantive issues involved in trial work was top-notch. His demeanor is good. And he is respectfull and relaxed with the jury. He is an excellent judge to be in front of if you are prepared and are able to discuss the issues substantively.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD286
Rating:5.5

Comments:
He has the intellect but not the temperament. It will behoove anyone appearing before him to be well prepared, as there is no doubt that he will be equally prepared as well. However, he has been known to take over a case and become an over-zealous advocate for whichever side he favors. Furthermore, he will simply shut down thoughtful consideration of an issue and lose all objectivity. The upshot is that your client will be left believing that there was simply no opportunity for a fair hearing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD169
Rating:9.5

Comments:
I have tried a number of cases in front of Judge Rubin. He is intelligent; he is interested in applying the law to the facts and he does so well. He does have a "strong" personality but he can certainly be persuaded to reconsider his positions when presented with the facts and the law. Indeed, I have seen him change his mind upon reflection and I have to give him credit for that. When before Judge Rubin, it is extremely important to be prepared and to be able to back up your position and if you do so, you will receive a fair trial and know that Judge Rubin has taken it all into consideration in coming to his decision.