Camille L. Vélez-Rivé

She is the go-to magistrate on pretrial issues in civil litigation. You know that you will be treated fairly when you go to her chambers. She is pleasant, and tries to do the right thing. She understands the realities of litigation, and is sensitive to the needs of both parties and attorneys. She is not the strongest on the law, but she is willing to study and to try to reach a fair result.

It is a pleasure to be before Magistrate Judge Velez-Rive. When she was appointed to the bench, I thought "another prosecutor!" I was wrong, dead wrong! She really calls them as she sees them and has a very open mind when listening to everyone's arguments. It is completely refreshing to have persons of her caliber and temperament on the bench.

MJ Velez-Rive is a former AUSA and many defense attorneys worried she might just turn out to be a rubberstamp for the government. She has turned out to be extremely fair, and it is really a pleasure to appear before her.

Friendly, courteous but condescending at times.