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• Author: Mark Thompson/Elizabeth Smith
• Pages: 976-978

Retired Judges

966Nadler California Judge Reviews

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NADLER, Jerome Steven

Temperament/Demeanor

Interviewees seem very pleased with Judge Nadler’s tem-

perament. They said, “It’s very good,” “It’s very professional”

and “It’s excellent.” One of these same attorneys added,

“Judge Nadler is very friendly and easygoing.” Several other

litigators said “Judge Nadler’s [mien] is pleasant” and “He’s

friendly and very easygoing.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

Every interviewee praised Judge Nadler’s legal acumen.

Most described it as either “excellent” or “well above aver-

age.” Other comments included: “Judge Nadler’s legal knowl-

edge is very good to superior” and “It’s above average.”

On Motions

Interviewees complimented Judge Nadler’s courtroom

management style. A majority of them described it as either

“very efficient” or “efficient.” The remaining litigators said

Judge Nadler’s style is “between formal and relaxed.” One

of these latter attorneys added, “Judge Nadler controls the

courtroom very well—considering the demands of his cal-

endar.” Interviewees said Judge Nadler is courteous, “very

polite” and “extremely polite” to all who enter his courtroom.

Respondents said this jurist usually takes the bench on

time. As one of them put it, “Judge Nadler is very punctual.”

On Trial

Every interviewee said Judge Nadler listens closely to law-

yers’ arguments and keeps an open mind. One of them even

said, “[This jurist listens] very closely.” Lawyers seem to like

Judge Nadler’s courtroom atmosphere. Comments includ-

ed: “It’s relaxed,” “It’s very pleasant” and “Judge Nadler’s

[departmental] atmosphere is excellent.” One lawyer opined,

“It’s professional and efficient.” Members of the bar seem to

like the way Judge Nadler moves his calendar. Most of them

said he moves cases through at an “average” or “appropri-

ate” pace. One litigator even opined, “Judge Nadler [moves

matters through at an] above average [pace] in terms of

efficiency.” Every lawyer interviewed said Judge Nadler can

handle complex criminal cases. Attorneys said Judge Nadler

is usually “fair” or “very fair” when handling his discretionary

sentencing duties.

Continuances

Most interviewees said Judge Nadler is “reasonable” or

“very reasonable” when asked to grant continuances based

upon good cause. One lawyer even said, “Judge Nadler is

more likely” to grant one than his peers.

Settlement

Every interviewee said Judge Nadler is “proactive” about

helping lawyers settle their cases. One of them noted that

this was true “in past assignments.” The lawyers interviewed

ranked Judge Nadler’s negotiating skills as “above average”

and “good.”

Proclivities

Interviewees seem very pleased with Judge Nadler’s over-

all neutrality. Most of them said, “He’s impartial.” Others

opined, “Judge Nadler is extremely fair” and “He’s fair.”

Summary

Interviewees seem to like Judge Nadler’s courtroom

management style and praised his legal knowledge, overall

fairness and ability to move his calendar at an appropriate

pace. (08L)

NAIL, Michael Ernest

Temperament/Demeanor

A majority of the interviewees said they like Judge Nail’s

courtroom mien. They opined, “It’s very calm and relaxed,” “He’s

professional, very friendly and easygoing” and “It’s relaxed.”

However, others were less pleased and said, “Judge Nail is

brusque” and “He’s rather temperamental and egotistical.”

Intelligence/Knowledge

Most of the interviewees seem comfortable with Judge

Nail’s legal acumen. They said, “It’s average,” “He seems to

rely on instinct and experience” and “It’s average in general

and above average in criminal.” Nevertheless, others dis-

agreed and said, “[His legal knowledge is] average. He may

not be willing to do all of the research that’s necessary” and

“It’s below average.”

On Motions

Several interviewees said Judge Nail’s courtroom man-

agement style is “somewhat formal,” “between formal and

relaxed. He’s pretty conscientious about treating everyone

with respect” and “[His style is] formal yet relaxed. It’s not

tense.” Those who were more critical said his style is “some-

what formal and strict—at least in his current assignment”

and “I don’t like the way he handles his readiness confer-

ences and his management style isn’t always very efficient.”

A majority of the lawyers said Judge Nail is usually polite to

all who appear in front of him. However, two others ques-

tioned whether this jurist is always courteous to those who

appear in his courtroom. Nearly every interviewee said Judge

Nail usually takes the bench on time. However, one attorney

disagreed and said this jurist does “not always” do so.

On Trial

Only two interviewees said they think Judge Nail usu-

ally listens closely and keeps an open mind. As they put

it, “Yes. You can change his mind with a good argument”

and “He absolutely listens and keeps an open mind.” The

majority of the interviewees shared less positive views.

“Judge Nail is about average when it comes to listening

closely [but] he doesn’t really keep an open mind.” “He lis-

tens closely but he’s still pretty pro-prosecution.” “I think

Judge Nail makes his mind up fairly early.” Those who like

the atmosphere maintained in this judge’s courtroom said,

“It’s professional and comfortable,” “It’s comfortable and

relaxed,” and “It’s professional and comfortable. However,

lawyers will occasionally get to him. When that happens,

he usually just takes a break from the bench.” Those who

were less pleased described Judge Nail’s courtroom atmo-

sphere as “tense” and “tense—like you find in most Solano

County courtrooms.” Lawyers seem to basically like the

way Judge Nail moves matters through his courtroom.

Most of them said he moves cases at an “average” pace. The

others said he moves matters at an “appropriate” pace. One

of the latter added, “It’s [an] average to faster [or] appro-

priate pace.” Those familiar with Judge Nail’s interactions

with jurors said he does well in this area. As two of them

put it, “I feel he helps me select good jurors” and “He’s a

brilliant politician and is very respectful to the jurors. They

really like him.” When asked if this jurist is reasonably

open to requests for special jury instructions, the attor-

neys knowledgeable in this area shared somewhat contrary

opinions. One of them said, “Judge Nail is about average”

when it comes to granting such requests. The other litiga-

tor opined, “He’s not too open to them, but he’s not entirely

closed to them.” Judge Nail was generally praised for his

sentencing habits. Nearly every litigator either said, “He’s

fair” or “He’s about average” in this area. The one lawyer

who appeared to be somewhat critical said Judge Nail is

“conservative” when it comes to sentencing.

Continuances

Interviewees said Judge Nail is usually fair about granting

requests for continuances once good cause has been shown.

Two of them specifically said you have an “average” chance

of obtaining one. All of the others either said, “He’s very rea-

sonable” or “He’s reasonable” about granting such requests.

Settlement

A majority of the interviewees said they appreciate

Judge Nail’s efforts to help negotiate aspects of their cases.

Comments included: “He’s proactive and has strong skills,”

“He’s proactive. Judge Nail is a practical kind of person and

has pretty strong skills. He knows what a case is worth and

can help find a solution to it” and “He’ll help if asked and

will discuss the merits of each case.” The one slightly critical

lawyer said, “Judge Nail stays reserved” in this area.

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