Judge Gaines Phelps is one of the best judges I have had the pleasure of having a case before.
Judge Gaines Phelps is one of the best judges I have had the pleasure of having a case before. Most civil matters have an assigned judge but rarely does the court get involved in the dispute. I had a case before Judge Gaines Phelps that was particularly heated, with the court having to consider multiple motions with opposing counsel becoming ever more rancorous as the matter wore on. She managed to set aside the clear disdain one of the attorneys exhibited and focused solely on application of the law to the facts of the case. What stood out for me was her openness to being incorrect. During one hearing, she commented that an assertion made by my side was likely incorrect. Later, during a hearing on a motion explicitly relating to the issue, she reviewed and researched the case law provided, ultimately entering an order adopting our position. She exhibited a high level of thoughtfulness when considering application of the law to the facts presented and implications of the other side's assertions and had to effectively acknowledge her prior comment (without the benefit of briefing on a relatively obscure issue) was incorrect. I have seen plenty of judges be stubborn and stick with their legally unsound opinions, and Judge Gaines Phelps is not one of them. She is truly a jewel of the bench.