Cormac J. Carney

Judge Carney is an asset of the first order to the federal judiciary. He possesses the rare combination of intellectual rigor and practical judgment, dispatching dense legal doctrine and tangled factual records with a clarity. His rulings reflect disciplined reasoning, command of the record, and a professionalism that never degenerates into performance or preening. It is true, and mildly entertaining, that he once distinguished himself as a wide receiver at UCLA and later as a professional in the United States Football League. But whatever admiration one might have for athletic accomplishment evaporates beside his work on the bench. If catching passes once demonstrated agility and focus, judging demonstrates something far rarer: intellectual authority, restraint, and an unyielding commitment to getting the law right.

Judge Carney is principled, smart and always prepared. He treats all litigants, attorneys, witnesses, jurors and staff as equal participants in the process and is respectful to all. He is very thoughtful at sentencing and understands that the sentencing guidelines are advisory.

Capable of understanding complex issues and able to discern the most important aspects of those complex issues in a way which anyone with a normal college degree could understand. Intellectually consistent. Even tempered. And one hell of a wide receiver at UCLA and in the USFL.

Tries to be fair. Very thorough.

I had a trial with Judge Carney recently. Without a doubt, he is one of the fairest and most even-tempered judges in the Central District. He respects all players in the courtroom - plaintiffs, defendants, counsel, staff, and especially the jury. He knows the law well, which makes sense given that he helped draft the Ninth Circuit's model instructions. However, he is humble enough to "stand corrected" when he is wrong. Although he leans Rightward (so I am told), he is not overtly political or partisan. These are the qualities that make a great judge. Hopefully President Trump puts him on the Ninth Circuit.

Probably the best federal criminal judge I have appeared before. Great temperament, very even handed, and was flexible with attorneys (without being overly so).

I've had two cases with him, and he is a very fair judge. He granted a motion for summary judgment that I filed for the plaintiffs in a civil rights case. I was very happy with him. (Also, his clerk is very practical.)

Fantastic judge in criminal. Willing to look at the humanity of all sides -- victims, witnesses, and even defendants. It is early in his judicial career, but he has already earned a great reputation.

Judge Carney is an honest, non-ideological conservative. His outstanding trait is that he really believes in fairness, perhaps harking back to his days as an All-American football star for UCLA. He is polite, follows the law, and likes lawyers. Though he seems to have an affinity for government, he keeps it in check and seems always to do the right thing. He is an extraordinary judge who takes his job, but not himself, very seriously.

Judge Carney is a stalwart with the courage to identify civil conspiracy taking place in Orange County matrimonial courtrooms. However, he is quick to dismiss cases that allege civil rights violations if the genesis of the case is a matrimonial action - no matter how egregious the violation: off the record custodial modifications done with no basis in law or fact for example.