Virginia M. Kendall

Virginia is a disgrace. Virginia is W's biggest mistake, even bigger than invading Iraq. Virginia ruled on my case, and dismissed all my claims. The problem was, that she never addressed the facts or arguments in her opinion dismissing the claims. Even when faced with a motion to reconsider, which highlighted that she never addressed the facts or arguments, she continued to rule as she wanted; not as per the facts. [Redacted by Ed.] To all the posters on here who praise this nasty judge, you really need to stop. When a judge can act like this one does, even though it did not affect you or your case, does not allow you to say Virginia is great! Just because a rapist did not rape you, does not allow you to say that person was a good person as far as you are concerned. Virginia is now chief judge, which is the biggest joke ever. Virginia should only be in charge of pushing a broom around some warehouse or construction site, not deciding litigants' cases who truly have been wronged by the opposing party and Virginia only cares about her caseload or who she wants to prevail. Judges have to be neutral. Virginia isn't neutral. A high-profile case or two does not give her bragging rights as a qualified jurist or squelch her awful decisions in the past, and clearly she has put many people up to writing positive reviews for her. Virginia is too nasty and disgraceful to be a judge. The sooner she retires [Redacted by Ed.], the better off Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan are. If all these "causes" she spends her time on, outside of the courthouse, actually knew her real personality, they would start another Bill Cosby #MeTooMovement, but for judges, and call it: #DisgracedJudges. [Redacted by Ed.]. Virginia took an oath to be fair, unbiased, and defend the Constitution of the U.S., Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. With happened with that oath Virginia? Do tell us citizens some day.

A review of some of the comments made about Judge Kendall could fairly lead one to conclude that we are speaking about an entirely different person. She is, to put it simply, outstanding in all ways. We all have had adverse rulings (and who among us has not, as a result, been frustrated with the judge?). But to consider Judge Kendall as anything other than a stand-out judicial officer and legal citizen (she writes, speaks, mentors, and just generally cares deeply about those around - and who appear before - her) leaves the impression that axes are being ground. Having worked around Judge Kendall since she assumed the bench, being familair with her reputation, and having known her when she served as a stand-out federal prosecutor, my perspective is that she has been, and remains, a model judge. What is more, I am confident that any random sampling of lawyers (and litigants) who appeared before her will yield similar results - whether on or off the record.

She doesn't do the job. Period. Fine example of why lifetime appointments are outdated and should be replaced with merit retention. She has no idea what is happening most of the time, even to the point of knowing why you are there. But of course, she will proceed as though she has studied all when in fact she is winging it at best. This is apparent to anyone with any wit about them, including those attorneys who have no compunction about misrepresenting the record, including their adversary's position, and are more than willing to take advantage of the situation. She tries to maintain a sunny disposition and grants motions off the cuff to get them off the docket but no real discretion is being exercised. She has an appointment for life but seems to view it as a title of nobility rather than a functional judicial position. In sum, a weak, nonperforming judge that our current system of lifetime appointments is not designed to deal with.

She would never let facts or law get in the way of a verdict

Is the most arrogant judge in the NDIL, and that's saying a lot considering the competition. It's one thing to be smarter than everyone else and arrogant, but it's an entirely different story when you are the dumbest person in the room but truly believe you are the smartest. Judge Kendall is the latter. Worse yet, she likes to brag about how she "tries cases" and litigates quickly. What that translates for the lawyers who really do all the work is that she moans and groans about "how long it takes" and grunts when you ask for reasonable extensions (she wouldn't know they are reasonable because she was never in private practice and has never handled a civil case as a practicing lawyer), triggering her canned response "we litigate fast in my courtroom." What that really means is that she imposes tight deadlines, forces you to do a lot of work, and once you file motions . . . SHE sits on them for a VERY long time. I had a summary judgment motion where she didn't enter a ruling for nearly 1 year and then expected us to go to trial in less than a month once she ruled. That is, of course, until the only time lead counsel would be available (they had other trials before judges who promptly ruled on dispositive motions) was three months later and she acquiesced to their dates. Bush II appointed her to the bench and rumor is that the only reason she got the gig is because nobody else applied. I never used to believe that story, but now I do.

They should play the Imperial March from the Empire Strikes Back (aka "Darth Vader's Theme) whenever she enters the courtroom. She considers herself a "rocket docket." But her definition of rocket docket is that she wants YOU to have everything done yesterday and then she can take 9 months to a year to rule on even the simplest of issues. This is a person who clearly was never in the private practice of law, never had to do civil discovery and clearly has NO CLUE.

She is a legend in her own mind who likes to brag about her ability to try cases. Too bad she has no comprehension about basic civil procedure and can screw up a civil case in the blink of any eye. She has a pro-government bias, so avoid her if you can in any civil cases where you are suing cops, etc.

I was prosecuted in Judge Kendall's courtroom recently for a crime I committed and I could not have asked to be treated better throughout the entire process. Judge Kendall is firm, knowledgeable and always professional. Being a middle aged man with no prior incarcerations and one violation while on bond which was truly an accident, Judge Kendall ensured I clearly understood her expectations and the consequences for not following them. While Judge Kendall did sentence me to a period of confinement, she did so with much thought and fairness after I believe careful consideration of the facts. Anyone who is not a career criminal, is genuinely remorseful and genuinely respectful of her courtroom can expect an even-handed result.

Judge Kendall has developed substantially over her the past 10 years on the bench. She was an excellent prosecutor and now growing into a fair and passionate judge. The critical reviews regarding her alleged lack of experience in different niche areas seem to miss the point that the federal judiciary is expected to preside over a vast array of matters. I would contend that it is more the fault of the lawyers for failing to better educate the court on the correct position if they feel a judge is outside of his or her expertise.

Judge Kendall is just as bad as they say. She is really focused on getting off the bench and into a State's Attorney role. She wasted a year of my time and tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and literally did nothing other than to refuse to hear our case. Dismissed without prejudice twice. Who's ever heard of such a thing? For some counterpoint, see my review of Judge Darrah who inherited the case.

Out of her depths in financial markets, and business organization processes and behavior. It is clear that her expertise in child exploitation, while admirable, has her painfully unprepared for commercial issues. Amazingly, she misapprehended fundamental dynamics of client controlled market speculation. Moreover, she explicitly acknowledged ignorance of other financial markets cases and ruled from a Capra-esque point of view appropriate for a 1940s romantic comedy. Completely disconnected from the modern business world.

Rewards the rats and punishes the ones who refuse to snitch. She does not understand drug business or culture she has no street smarts like some of the others and does not understand why people remain poor she is a northsider who grew up in a conservative family. I have had cases with her when she was AUSA she was always plesant and I do like her because I know what to expect

I am not based in Chicago but recently had two cases pending in the Northern District. Judge Kendall presided over one case, and another judge presided over the second case. It was like night and day. Judge Kendall is a pleasure to appear before. I have read the Ezell case for which she is receiving such sharp criticism and the 7th Circuit opinion reversing her. While I agree she got it wrong, she shouldn't be judged so harshly based on this one case. I found her to be sharp. She issued well-reasoned opinions in my case. She also ruled promptly on motions and was fair and even-handed to both parties. In the past, colleagues have criticized her ability to preside over civil cases, but I did not find that to be true. She has been on the bench for a number of years now and has probably grown as a jurist. I attribute early criticisms to her lack of experience with civil litigation, and colleagues at my firm would agree. I don't think that is really an issue any longer.

She was a mediocre prosecutor and clerked for a mediocre federal judge, so it came as no surprise that she has turned out to be mediocre too. Proof that making prosecutors judges is not the best template. When she replaced Conlon, somebody should have explained that Kendall was only expected to fill a vacancy and not mimic Conlon's insanity. Oh well, thanks Bush. Another wonderful appointment proving her worthlessness.

She woudn't understand constitutional or municipal law if she tripped over it. Either that or her personal dislikes and prejudice trump her duty to apply the law, Just read the Seventh Circuit's blistering reversal of her out of tough with reality and the law Decision in Ezell v Chicago (Appeal No.10-3525). I rest my case.

Judge Kendall really messed up on this case. 10-3525 Ezell v Chicago - 2nd amendment Nearly every ruling and decision she made was gutted and reversed by the 7th circuit. It wasnt even close. The court ordered an immediate injunction to nearly all of Chicago gun ordnance restrictins. Seems like Chicago enacted stringent requirments 4 days after McDonald -requiring 1 hr of firing arms training yet prohibited ranges within the City. Judge Kendall declined to issue an injuction based on the testimony of two city witnesses. One who never even was in a gun range. Amazing. In sum the 7th circuit says: Kendall's...decision reflects misunderstandings about the nature of the plaintiffs’ harm, the structure of this kind of constitutional claim, and the proper decision method for evaluating alleged infringements of Second Amendment rights.

Sharp and fair judicial officer of the court

Excellent Judge!

Very well versed in the law

Judge Kendall is an outstanding jurist. She is an intellect who is conversant with current opinions and the law. She treats all litigants fairly and efficiently handles her Court call. She is a model for Judges who sit in our Federal Courts.