Vince Chhabria

This guy acts like the guy you couldn't stand in law school, yet he's an Article III judge. Pretentious to a startling degree. Compensation for inadequacies with ego. Openly hostile to plaintiff's lawyer. Corporatist. It all would be ok if he did the reading and got the law before having the hearing, but he doesn't.

Judge Chhabria is the most universally discourteous member of the federal judiciary I have appeared before. Needlessly rude, sanction-happy, insulting and belittling to counsel almost as a matter of routine. Questionable preparedness for complicated matters. Fancies himself an expert in whatever your case is about.

He really likes the sound of his own voice. He would rather listen to himself talk during oral argument than listen to counsel's responses to his questions. Constantly interrupts, then claims to "lose track" of counsel's arguments.

Among the worst temperaments of any district court judge I've ever appeared before. Haughty and belittling to counsel and parties. Scholarship is very good, and he reads the briefs carefully. Makes up his mind at the outset of a case and tailors his rulings accordingly, which is great if he likes your position. Very comfortable disposing of cases on summary judgment. Recommend an early motion on the pleadings or scope of discovery to glean how he's thinking about the case. Not afraid to throw around in terrorem threats to drive settlement of cases he doesn't want to hear. Total wild card if you draw him.