I was warned early on that this judge would be death on any kind of land use case in which one is trying to preserve ...
I was warned early on that this judge would be death on any kind of land use case in which one is trying to preserve the environment or is up against any type of governmental agency, and to just give up the case if he was the judge. I wish I had listened but I had remembered that many years prior he had an excellent reputation in the field of probate where he started out as a commissioner. So I did not affidavit this judge. Then in handling the case, this judge stood on his head, looked at things upside down, and ignored facts to rule in favor of a particular city on every important point. He would only allow our side to get our way on things which were unimportant in an effort to seem even-handed. Also, he would not provide a tentative ruling until the morning of an early appearance so there was virtually very little if any opportunity to review, digest, or argue his unfair rulings. He is retirement age and I imagine he will receive lots of ADR work from the large firm representing the particular city. It also seemed like he was engaging in ex parte communications with opposing counsel, a regular in his courtroom. If he were more attractive he would remind me of Bryan Cranston in Your Honor. File your affidavit posthaste and do not litigate a land use case against any type of governmental entity before this judge. That was the advice I received and did not heed, but knowing what I know now, I really wouldn't take him for any type of case.