John H. Reid, West Dist. SM Courthouse Dept. K

[Underdog]

John H. Reid, West Dist. SM Courthouse Dept. K Civil

[Trish]

John H. Reid, West Dist. SM Courthouse Dept. K Civil]
Reid is a nice man, but as a settlement judge he is ineffective. He does not know how to work a lawyer and his client into wanting to settle. He will listen to your story, then will deadpan, "how much will you pay/accept?" In the end he will tell each side what he thinks you should accept or pay then send you on your way. In all fairness, civil cases are only about money so he may be right. But by the time a case goes to trial, an effective MSC judge has to lay it out to the parties and lawyers what will likely happen. If that does not do it, there are other tricks they can use from pure economic issues (e.g. client pays $15,000+ for 5 days of trial win or lose, possible embarrassment, client not paying the attorney, attorney losing a good client if it does not go well, to yes, you have a novel case, but that just means it will be in appeal for another 2 years, or watch out, in equitable cases Judges like to play Solomon so settle!)

I have not had him as a trial judge. Though, my feeling is he is pro corporate defendant. He does have a very nice bailiff and clerk.

[Perfect Pitch]

Ried is a decent fellow but his forte is not settling cases (why then is he used as a settlement judge?). :confused: