The Full Read · Article by Article
Nelson Stephen Román
Southern District of New York · appt. Obama
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
72%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
Former state judge; no documented disclosure, gift, conflict, or recusal problems on the federal bench.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
No documented defiance of higher courts or election-related controversy; ordinary rule-of-law posture.
3Judicial Temperament
72%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No reported complaints of incivility toward litigants or counsel; limited public record on demeanor.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
Available rulings reflect conventional adjudication; no documented pattern of ideological decision-making.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented misstatement of precedent or the record; relatively thin public profile.
6Independence from Party
70%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
Obama appointee with no documented evidence of partisan favoritism; party-blind default applied.
7Personal Integrity
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No criminal, civil, or corruption matters found in the public record; limited public record.
Challenge this review
This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
Are you Nelson Stephen Román? An official named in a review may answer it by phone rather than in writing. Confirm it's you and we'll arrange a call.
Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Ethics & Recusal or Fidelity to Democracy and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →