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THE ROBING ROOM
where judges are judged
Hon. Elaine E. Bucklo
District judge
N.D.Ill.
7th Circuit
Average Rating:
4.3
-
16
rating(s)
rating submitted
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Ratings:
What others have rated
Hon. Elaine E. Bucklo
evaluator
ID
date
Temp* Sch* Indu* Comp* Punct* Ev-Cv* Ev-Cr* Flex Bail Crim Settle Trial Sent Coop Average
Civil Litigation - Private
12738
1/1/11
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Civil Litigation - Private
12178
1/2/11
1
3
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1.5
Civil Litigation - Private
11654
1/1/10
9
10
10
3
10
10
0
10
0
0
4
0
0
10
8.7
Criminal Defense Lawyer
9729
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
8754
1/2/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6829
1/2/08
5
5
2
2
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Civil Litigation - Private
6483
1/2/08
1
1
1
1
10
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.5
Criminal Defense Lawyer
6203
1/2/08
1
1
1
1
10
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
2.3
Criminal Defense Lawyer
5623
1/2/08
10
10
10
10
10
9
10
10
5
5
8
5
6
3
9.9
Civil Litigation - Govt.
5131
1/2/07
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Civil Litigation - Private
4722
1/2/07
10
10
9
10
9
10
10
9
0
0
9
0
0
0
9.7
Civil Litigation - Private
4206
1/2/07
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.4
Civil Litigation - Private
4038
1/1/07
10
8
8
8
10
10
0
8
0
0
6
0
0
0
9
Criminal Defense Lawyer
3972
1/2/07
1
2
2
1
3
2
2
3
4
4
6
3
4
0
1.9
category average
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating
Fam
Par
Qu-Arg
At-Arg
Sch
Cri
Civ
Lab
Imm
How familiar are you with the work of this judge? (1=Not at all familiar,10=Extremely familiar)
Participates in Oral Argument (1=Rarely,10=Always)
Quality of Questions During Oral Argument (1=Poor,10=Extremely insightful)
Attitude during oral argument (1=Consistently inappropriate,10=Consistently respectful)
Scholarship as reflected in Opinions (1=Poor,10=Outstanding)
General Inclination in Criminal Appeals (1=Strongly ProGovernment,10=Strongly ProDefense)
General Inclination in Civil Rights Appeals (1=Strongly Pro-Defendant,10=Strongly ProPlaintiff)
General Inclination in Labor Law Appeals (1=Strongly ProEmployee,10=Strongly ProEmployer)
General Inclination in Immigration Appeals (1=Strongly ProImmigrant,10=Strongly ProGov.)
evaluator
ID
date
Fam Par Qu-Arg At-Arg Sch Cri Civ Lab Imm
Civil Litigation - Private
12738
1/1/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
12178
1/2/11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
11654
1/1/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
9729
1/2/10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
8754
1/2/09
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6829
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
6483
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
6203
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
5623
1/2/08
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Govt.
5131
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4722
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4206
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Civil Litigation - Private
4038
1/1/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Criminal Defense Lawyer
3972
1/2/07
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
category average
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Non-lawyer Rating
(if applicable)
evaluator
ID
date
Rating
Litigant
24273
1/1/17
1
Litigant
12293
1/2/11
8
category average
-
Temp*
Sch*
Indu*
Comp*
Punct*
Ev-Cv*
Ev-Cr*
Flex
Bail
Crim
Settle
Trial
Sent
Coop
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)
Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation (1=Demonstrates Bias 10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation (1=Demonstrates Bias 10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Flexibility in Scheduling (1=Completely Inflexible 10=Very Flexible)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pre-Trial (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Civil Settlement Discussions (1=Least Involved 10=Most Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing (1=Pro-Defense 10=Pro-Government)
Typical Discount Off Guidelines for Cooperators (1=10% 10=100%)
comments1
Comments:
What others have said about
Hon. Elaine E. Bucklo
Litigant
comment #:
24273
rating:
0
Severely and permanently?beaten and crippled by police officers after several months of harassment, I retained Counsel to sue on my behalf. It should have been a very clear case. Judge Bucklo, despite the fact that my proceedings were 'Jury Demanded', REFUSED my day in court and instead entered a Summary Judgement in favor of the defendants based on THEIR accounting of events. Clearly an injustice. That was 7 years ago and I'm severely crippled and unable to function. It was clear that she did not review facts at hand and completely ignored my right to have my case decided by the People. She has destroyed ALL trust in the Judicial System. Frankly, I feel that SHE is responsible for my CONTINUAL suffering.
1/1/17, 9:54 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
12738
rating:
1
She is a flake. Always has been, always will be. Never on time and perpetually whining about something. Too bad she just won't leave like Coar did. Downtown free parking is not that valuable is it, judge?
1/1/11, 8:00 PM
Litigant
comment #:
12293
rating:
0
Greetings: I've involuntarily litigated in the federal courts since 1986, when my own lawyer caused me to lose my business on a default judgment. The lawyer went to get measured for a wedding dress instead of appearing for my civil case. TWENTY-FOUR YEARS LATER, I AM STILL TRYING TO DIG MYSELF OUT OF THE LEGAL GRAVE YARD!!! As a pro se litigant, civil rights litigant, public interest litigation litigant and even a 'criminal' defendant for only complaining about mistreatment by the 'Good Ole Boys' Club' I believe that all of us are better off for Judge Bucklo and her even-handed patience. I actually prayed for Judge Bucklo's appointment to the bench in Chicago and even lobbied the Clinton Administration for her appointment and for other appointments that were not obligated to the 'Good Ole Boys Club.' Judge Bucklo is more than enough judge to be the 'Gatekeeper' of our freedom and for true administration of due process. God Bless Judge Bucklo for being brave enough to be really true to her oath of office. We can trust her!!!! We the People are truly blessed by her presence on the bench!
1/2/11, 7:16 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
12178
rating:
1.5
'She doesn't even try to pretend anymore.' Never have truer words been said. The only problem is that you can't lose something that you never had -- like common sense, judgment and work ethic. If she had any real skill she would retire (she's on senior status now) and go into private mediation. She must realize that she wouldn't make any money because nobody would hire her.
1/2/11, 5:44 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
11654
rating:
8.7
Extremely fair. A good choice. Has a little difficulty understanding different technologies but thats not her job.
1/1/10, 4:43 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
9729
rating:
0
I think she's losing it. Seriously. When she took the bench, she was prim and tidy. Now her hair is a mess and her mouth hangs open most of the time. And any sense of fair-mindedness has just plain gone out the window - she doesn't even pretend anymore.
1/2/10, 12:35 PM
Other
comment #:
8754
rating:
0
I dont understand how a judge can terminate the case without Jury Trial when all the witness, deposition and written prooves have been provided which supports plantiff's claim and she just terminated not even considering jury trial ... it seems another illinois beurocrat ..another case for ...
1/2/09, 1:59 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6829
rating:
3
She perceives herself to be one of the great scholars of the building. The reality, however, is that she was a mediocre magistrate, and a lame district court judge. She demonstrates bias against defendants in civil rights and employment litigation, particularly where the defendants are government employers. She does not do a very good job of managing her docket and gets very short-tempered when people want her to rule sooner than she thinks is necessary. For example, at trial she is loath to rule on anything other than the most routine of objections and will either take things under advisement (code for 'I don't know') or issue a provisional ruling that she might change later -- messing up your trial. An absolute winner. Somebody please promote her to the 7th Circuit soon, so she can stop making such a mess downstairs.
1/2/08, 3:45 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
6483
rating:
2.5
She has never met a criminal defendant she did not love or a civil defendant that she did not hate. She whines from the bench about people coming late to court. Perhaps that's because she can't run a call and everyone knows her to be the joke that she is. Peter Principle? No doubt!
1/2/08, 9:32 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
6203
rating:
2.3
1/2/08, 9:34 AM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
5623
rating:
9.9
A very thoughtful, intellectual mind. A willingness to listen entirely and contemplate thoroughly. Very even handed and even tempered. Doesn't put up with garbage, yet will give a little if it's necessary.
1/2/08, 4:21 PM
Civil Litigation - Govt.
comment #:
5131
rating:
1
One of the worst judges in the country. Terrible temperament. An intellectual lightweight.
1/2/07, 3:17 PM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
4722
rating:
9.7
Smart,insightful, interested in the big picture, fair to all, especially to pro se civil litigants. A wonderful jurist.
1/2/07, 12:24 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
4206
rating:
1.4
Bucklo has never met a criminal defendant that she did not love or a civil defendant that she did not hate. She is arrogant and fancies herself to be the female version of Judge Shadur. Unfortunately, she lacks his intellectual greatness and work ethic.
1/2/07, 6:18 AM
Civil Litigation - Private
comment #:
4038
rating:
9
Obviously the previous post did not have a good experience with Judge Bucklo. I on the other hand did. I would recommend her wholeheartedly. There is no way she is even in the bottom half of worst judges in the district.
1/1/07, 2:04 PM
Criminal Defense Lawyer
comment #:
3972
rating:
1.9
Judge Bucklo has it all - a nasty, bitter temperament toward everyone in the courtroom; lazy; inconsiderate toward the parties, lawyers and clients alike; is rude; unhappy in her work; and intellectually unqualified for the job on every level. A real Home Run by the Clinton Administration, which elevated her from a Magistrate job for which she was equally unqualified. May be the worst judge in the District, which is saying a lot given her competition. The ultimate example of the Peter Principle.
1/2/07, 3:41 AM
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