Michael E. Raiden
Michael E. Raiden
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By Bill Rufty
The Ledger
After ranking No. 1 in consecutive Ledger surveys when he was a county judge, Michael E. Raiden makes his first appearance this year on the circuit bench.
He landed at No. 10 out of 28 judges.
Raiden's career resume has been sterling: Harvard Law School, senior staff attorney for the 2nd District Court of Appeal for nine years, county judge for 14 years and an appointment to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2008.
"Top half is good enough," Raiden said.
Thirty-three lawyers who responded to The Ledger survey made comments about Raiden and said they admired his intelligence and legal ability.
"Excellent grasp of the law. Firm but always fair," one lawyer wrote
Others wrote, "As good as it gets" and "it is still a mystery ... that he is not an appellate judge at the 2nd District Court of Appeal.''
His highest ranking was 8.59 for "legal ability" second only to Judge Donald G. Jacobsen, who was ranked No. 1 in the circuit overall and had an 8.71 rating for legal ability.
Raiden's lowest score was for communication ability, with 7.05.
It is clear from his top scores that Raiden is highly thought of by those who practice before him, but even some admirers complain he has a temper.
"Exceptionally bright - temperamentally unstable - even explosive at times," wrote one lawyer.
Others wrote "Bright, but abrupt, if not rude, in his impatience" and "unpredictable."
Raiden said he has heard it before, but he disagrees.
"You'll notice that judges drop (in ranking) as soon as they enter the felony division,'' said Raiden, who handles felony cases.
He is up for election this year.
Raiden, 56, and his wife, Sally, have two children.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.75 | 8.59 | 7.05 | 8.13 | 7.24 |
Comments
Fun to be around; should win again.
One of our very best judges. It is still a mystery, or perhaps an injustice, that he still is not an appellate judge at the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
Terrible. Why he is considered the "County Scholar" is beyond me.
A person of great ability and knowledge which is ruined by excessive ego. Could have been great otherwise.
Excellent legal mind - clear view of all issues before him.
Tops in legal ability. Suffers in communication because tells too much. Greater writer. Good guy.
Can be testy but knows the law and is a good judge.
Excellent grasp of the law. Firm but always fair.
Bright but abrupt if not rude in his impatience.
As good as it gets.
Sometimes forgets not in courtroom. Need to learn not to lose your cool so easy.
Tremendous potential.
Unpredictable.
Can be very verbose - likes to hear himself talk. Often thinks (incorrectly) that he knows what you're going to say. Brilliant legal mind - just needs to learn to shut up once in a while.
Crazy of not on his meds; can be extremely unpredictable.
Miss him in domestic violence court.
Great mind. Needs some self-control.
Much too temperamental.
Judge Raiden has a brilliant legal mind; however, with that brilliance comes an irrational, unpredictable, embarrassing temperament. Can be condescending, rude and unprofessional. Speaks ill of certain attorneys he doesn't like to certain attorneys he doe
No doubt he is smart - needs to work on being on an even keel.
Mercurial temperament. Much like the weather, you cannot predict or rationalize why his emotions run amok. His outbursts achieve nothing constructive and serve to terrify and denigrate the parties before him.
Way too temperamental. A good judge should be the type of person who attorneys and litigants are aware whether the judge is having a good day or a bad day. Wears his emotions on his sleeves.
Not as good as his Ivy League education would lead you to expect.
Exceptionally bright - temperamentally unstable - even explosive at times.
Often goes off like a firecracker.
His contempt for the system and participants is clear. It's time for him to retire and allow someone who wants to be a judge do the job. Anger and ignorance are not admirable judicial characteristics.
Angry, surly, arrogant. Has no business on the bench.
Smart, smart man. Has become somewhat tough on defendants.
Likes to hear himself talk. Interjects for no reason. Seems to want to try cases from the bench.
Quirky. Can be a bully.
Incredibly smart, but unpredictable, which can be good or bad. Doesn't always let the state do what they want, which is rare.
Down deep he is a wise judge. Unfortunately that is often concealed by weirdness and arrogance.
Very touchy and explosive and volatile temper. Gets angry and punitive much too often. Insulting.
One of our very best judges. It is still a mystery, or perhaps an injustice, that he still is not an appellate judge at the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
Terrible. Why he is considered the "County Scholar" is beyond me.
A person of great ability and knowledge which is ruined by excessive ego. Could have been great otherwise.
Excellent legal mind - clear view of all issues before him.
Tops in legal ability. Suffers in communication because tells too much. Greater writer. Good guy.
Can be testy but knows the law and is a good judge.
Excellent grasp of the law. Firm but always fair.
Bright but abrupt if not rude in his impatience.
As good as it gets.
Sometimes forgets not in courtroom. Need to learn not to lose your cool so easy.
Tremendous potential.
Unpredictable.
Can be very verbose - likes to hear himself talk. Often thinks (incorrectly) that he knows what you're going to say. Brilliant legal mind - just needs to learn to shut up once in a while.
Crazy of not on his meds; can be extremely unpredictable.
Miss him in domestic violence court.
Great mind. Needs some self-control.
Much too temperamental.
Judge Raiden has a brilliant legal mind; however, with that brilliance comes an irrational, unpredictable, embarrassing temperament. Can be condescending, rude and unprofessional. Speaks ill of certain attorneys he doesn't like to certain attorneys he doe
No doubt he is smart - needs to work on being on an even keel.
Mercurial temperament. Much like the weather, you cannot predict or rationalize why his emotions run amok. His outbursts achieve nothing constructive and serve to terrify and denigrate the parties before him.
Way too temperamental. A good judge should be the type of person who attorneys and litigants are aware whether the judge is having a good day or a bad day. Wears his emotions on his sleeves.
Not as good as his Ivy League education would lead you to expect.
Exceptionally bright - temperamentally unstable - even explosive at times.
Often goes off like a firecracker.
His contempt for the system and participants is clear. It's time for him to retire and allow someone who wants to be a judge do the job. Anger and ignorance are not admirable judicial characteristics.
Angry, surly, arrogant. Has no business on the bench.
Smart, smart man. Has become somewhat tough on defendants.
Likes to hear himself talk. Interjects for no reason. Seems to want to try cases from the bench.
Quirky. Can be a bully.
Incredibly smart, but unpredictable, which can be good or bad. Doesn't always let the state do what they want, which is rare.
Down deep he is a wise judge. Unfortunately that is often concealed by weirdness and arrogance.
Very touchy and explosive and volatile temper. Gets angry and punitive much too often. Insulting.
Article
By Bill Rufty
The Ledger
After ranking No. 1 in consecutive Ledger surveys when he was a county judge, Michael E. Raiden makes his first appearance this year on the circuit bench.
He landed at No. 10 out of 28 judges.
Raiden's career resume has been sterling: Harvard Law School, senior staff attorney for the 2nd District Court of Appeal for nine years, county judge for 14 years and an appointment to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2008.
"Top half is good enough," Raiden said.
Thirty-three lawyers who responded to The Ledger survey made comments about Raiden and said they admired his intelligence and legal ability.
"Excellent grasp of the law. Firm but always fair," one lawyer wrote
Others wrote, "As good as it gets" and "it is still a mystery ... that he is not an appellate judge at the 2nd District Court of Appeal.''
His highest ranking was 8.59 for "legal ability" second only to Judge Donald G. Jacobsen, who was ranked No. 1 in the circuit overall and had an 8.71 rating for legal ability.
Raiden's lowest score was for communication ability, with 7.05.
It is clear from his top scores that Raiden is highly thought of by those who practice before him, but even some admirers complain he has a temper.
"Exceptionally bright - temperamentally unstable - even explosive at times," wrote one lawyer.
Others wrote "Bright, but abrupt, if not rude, in his impatience" and "unpredictable."
Raiden said he has heard it before, but he disagrees.
"You'll notice that judges drop (in ranking) as soon as they enter the felony division,'' said Raiden, who handles felony cases.
He is up for election this year.
Raiden, 56, and his wife, Sally, have two children.
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
County Judge Michael E. Raiden has again secured the top spot among Polk's county judges, according to The Ledger's survey of local lawyers.
Raiden has ranked No. 1 on almost every survey the newspaper has conducted since 1996 - except in 1998, when he came in third with an overall rating of 7.47 out of 10. In 2006, Raiden's overall rating was 8.24.
This year, he received an overall rating of 7.97. His highest individual category was 8.67 in legal ability, and his lowest was 7.36 in communication.
When asked for comment, Raiden offered a quote from Wilson Mizner, screenwriter and raconteur.
"Don't talk about yourself; it will be done when you leave," he said.
But some lawyers used the survey as an opportunity to talk about the judge. Several commented Raiden should be promoted to the circuit or appellate court.
"Why is he not on the bench of the 2nd District Court of Appeal?" one lawyer puzzled. "Solomon himself was never a wiser judge of humanity and the human condition."
"(He) contributes greatly to all divisions of the court by devoting any time free from his docket to helping others," another wrote.
Many spoke about Raiden possessing "a brilliant legal mind" and a "good reasoning mind." But some criticized him as being "too temperamental" and "unpredictable."
"Judge Raiden is very intelligent," one wrote. "He is also as moody as he is intelligent. Sometimes you don't know which Judge Raiden will take the bench."
Raiden, 54, graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978. He has worked as an assistant public defender and senior staff lawyer for the 2nd DCA.
He was appointed to the county bench in 1994. His current term expires in 2010.
Raiden and his wife, Sally, have two children.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.97 | 8.67 | 7.36 | 8.30 | 7.55 |
Comments
Michael E. Raiden
A brilliant legal mind; he should serve on the appellate bench.
Applies law fairly; excellent knowledge of the law.
Best judge on county bench, needs to be on circuit bench.
Contributes greatly to all divisions of the court by devoting any time free from his docket to helping others.
Deserves seat on circuit bench.
Exceptional ability--limited people skills.
Fair, personable, hardworking.
Great judge, sometimes bored.
Judge is fair to both defense counsel and the state attorney; good reasoning mind.
Will be a circuit judge; much improved.
Judge Raiden is very intelligent.
He is also as moody as he is intelligent.
Moody, takes things personally.
Needs to move to the circuit bench.
Past due to be a circuit judge; needs to get out more (to Bar functions).
Should be circuit or DCA judge.
Should be in Supreme Court
The best judge in the circuit!
Too temperamental; intellectual.
Verbose to a fault.
Very good for the domestic violence bench.
Very intelligent but harsh sometimes.
Why is he not on the bench of the 2nd District Court of Appeal? Solomon himself was never a wiser judge of humanity and the human condition.
A brilliant legal mind; he should serve on the appellate bench.
Applies law fairly; excellent knowledge of the law.
Best judge on county bench, needs to be on circuit bench.
Contributes greatly to all divisions of the court by devoting any time free from his docket to helping others.
Deserves seat on circuit bench.
Exceptional ability--limited people skills.
Fair, personable, hardworking.
Great judge, sometimes bored.
Judge is fair to both defense counsel and the state attorney; good reasoning mind.
Will be a circuit judge; much improved.
Judge Raiden is very intelligent.
He is also as moody as he is intelligent.
Moody, takes things personally.
Needs to move to the circuit bench.
Past due to be a circuit judge; needs to get out more (to Bar functions).
Should be circuit or DCA judge.
Should be in Supreme Court
The best judge in the circuit!
Too temperamental; intellectual.
Verbose to a fault.
Very good for the domestic violence bench.
Very intelligent but harsh sometimes.
Why is he not on the bench of the 2nd District Court of Appeal? Solomon himself was never a wiser judge of humanity and the human condition.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
County Judge Michael E. Raiden has again secured the top spot among Polk's county judges, according to The Ledger's survey of local lawyers.
Raiden has ranked No. 1 on almost every survey the newspaper has conducted since 1996 - except in 1998, when he came in third with an overall rating of 7.47 out of 10. In 2006, Raiden's overall rating was 8.24.
This year, he received an overall rating of 7.97. His highest individual category was 8.67 in legal ability, and his lowest was 7.36 in communication.
When asked for comment, Raiden offered a quote from Wilson Mizner, screenwriter and raconteur.
"Don't talk about yourself; it will be done when you leave," he said.
But some lawyers used the survey as an opportunity to talk about the judge. Several commented Raiden should be promoted to the circuit or appellate court.
"Why is he not on the bench of the 2nd District Court of Appeal?" one lawyer puzzled. "Solomon himself was never a wiser judge of humanity and the human condition."
"(He) contributes greatly to all divisions of the court by devoting any time free from his docket to helping others," another wrote.
Many spoke about Raiden possessing "a brilliant legal mind" and a "good reasoning mind." But some criticized him as being "too temperamental" and "unpredictable."
"Judge Raiden is very intelligent," one wrote. "He is also as moody as he is intelligent. Sometimes you don't know which Judge Raiden will take the bench."
Raiden, 54, graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978. He has worked as an assistant public defender and senior staff lawyer for the 2nd DCA.
He was appointed to the county bench in 1994. His current term expires in 2010.
Raiden and his wife, Sally, have two children.