J. Paul Oetken

Badly written opinions... He writes opinions that are so completely wrong on the law that it is difficult to believe that he makes any attempt to get a decision right. He cites decisions for the exact opposite of what they stand for and genuinely rude about it to attorneys appearing before him. So many of a judge's failings would be tolerable if they were professional toward attorneys or at least gave the impression of trying to apply the law. Instead, your case has to go before the Second Circuit, and your clients have to spend thousands of dollars more, to get basic rulings that you should have received from the outset. It's my belief that he knowingly issues wrong decisions based upon his political views because he does not like the law. This is someone that shouldn't be on the bench.

A gentleman. Scrupulously fair, practical and direct. Treats lawyers with respect and knows his stuff.

Don’t expect a fair trial. He is pro government.

Judge Oetken is pleasant and industrious. However, his corporate background shows. Unfortunately, he has adopted the Scalia/Thomas philosophy of hyper-textualism of the type that would, for example, have found the ACA invalid as a result of Congressional typos (see Scalia dissent in King v. Burwell) -- contrary to the very clear intent of Congress and common sense. This is not a judge that should be elevated to the 2d Circuit, much less the Supreme Court (per recent rumors).

I can 1st hand say that this judge is very fair and honest and doing his job which is to protect our constitution to uphold the laws as they written and how they should be used and not abuse is a fair sentencer and a fair judge who not only looks at looks at what the prosecution brings forth but as well what the defense stats is a very good judge

Judge Oetken made determinations in a complex case that showcased his intellect, willingness to learn new concepts, and his firm commitment to justice. The Judge asked probing questions at oral argument and engaged counsel thoroughly. Use your best arguments because he will understand them.

He is a great Judge and a gift to the Mother Court (or would be to any court). He has actually studied the issues that are before him, so you don't walk in being perceived as a Patent troll, though that is not to say that I've brought a Patent case before him.

Judge J. Paul Oetken is yet another Obama-appointed, New York City Southern District Court judicial activist, with little to no knowledge or respect for the law, or case precedent, just an over-arching desire to please his Deep State masters within the halls of money and power. He routinely writes judicial opinions and decisions that blatantly go against higher appeals courts than his, even when he knows that he will either be over-ruled or recorded in history as a Deep State Rothschild Central Bank enforcer, rather than as an American honest judge. Judge Paul Oetken is definitely not an America-Firster, nor does he have any respect for the U.S. Constitution, merely having lust for his own personal power, the money and power of his Deep State cronies, and an unending contempt and disdain for the Rule of Law. He is everything that is wrong with the federal (and state) judiciary of modern day America, especially within that Deep State legal cesspool known as New York City. Thank God President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court - perhaps he will re-create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, respect for the rule of law and case precedent, and love for the U.S. Constitution that these Deep State Obama-appointees could never even hope to have, or want.

Awful! Questionable civil rights ruling, seems to be afraid of government authorities.

Very pleasant, knowledgeable judge. Fair and sensible. Shows respect all the way around.

Judge Oetken is very pleasant and even-tempered. However, he has no feel for the rules of criminal procedure, the rules of evidence or criminal justice issues in general. He tries to make up for it by taking his cues from the government, regardless whether their positions are supported by the evidence or the law. He seems intent on not ruffling any of the government's feathers. You get the feeling that he reads the government's briefs, but not the defendant's. Overall, he is a terrible disappointment

Justice is not only an outcome, but a feeling. You litigate in Judge Oetken's courtroom and you feel justice, no matter the outcome. He knows how to control litigants' attorneys, and can send signals without talking. It's a hard job is the impression he left with me, and one that he does very well.

An excellent new judge: very well prepared, very fair and very courteous.

Judfe Oetken is the best new Federal Judge in the SDNY. He cares about getting things right. He runs a relaxed courtroom and possesses a great judicial temperament.