Marvin E. Aspen (from the October, 1991 evaluation)

Judge Aspen, 57, was appointed to the District Court by President Carter in 1979, on the recommendation of Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III. He graduated from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1958. He served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County and an Assistant Corporation Counsel in Chicago. From 1971 to 1979, he served as a Circuit Judge in Cook County in the Criminal and Law Divisions, having been elected as a Democrat.

Judge Aspen is widely regarded as a very good judge. His legal ability and intelligence are rated by lawyers as very good to excellent. He understands any issue presented to him. His written opinions are extensive, well-reasoned, and imaginative. His integrity, lack of bias, and fairness are highly praised.

Judge Aspen's strongest and weakest points on the bench both relate to the issue of docket control. He is accomplished at managing a case schedule. He sets schedules and forces lawyers to adhere to them, while remaining accommodating when specific, real problems arise. He is very good at promoting settlement.

On the negative side, he tries exceptionally few civil cases. While this is partially attributable to his skill at managing his docket, lawyers report the sense that Judge Aspen does not like spending the time necessary to try civil cases. Judge Aspen spends a fair amount of time in teaching, both in law schools and professional seminars. We have not been able to determine whether this has any effect on his judicial performance. His skills in actually conducting a trial are reported to be very good. Some lawyers also complain that he refers too many matters to magistrates.

In the courtroom during motion calls, Judge Aspen has an unusual personal style. While he is not rude, he gives the impression of coldness and of distrust that lawyers will adhere to their scheduling commitments to them. In trials, Judge Aspen has the habit of putting his feet on the bench during testimony, giving the appearance of lack of interest in the proceedings.

Despite these minor problems, Judge Aspen remains a very good judge with substantial abilities which he puts to good use.