In Chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what kind of effort was Mr. Gilmer putting into the trial? What is Atticus's perception of Judge Taylor?

Scout describes Mr. Gilmer in this way:

The solicitor, a Mr. Gilmer, was not well known to us. He was from Abbottsville; we saw him only when court convened, and that rarely, for court was of no special interest to Jem and me.

So the children are unfamiliar with his tactics in court. However, when Bob Wewell is rude to him, Scout feels sorry for him, saying that Mr. Gilmer is just doing his job, like Atticus. Now, one can argue that he was doing the best he could to win his case. This is probably true, although he seems slightly more reasonable than many of the people in Maycomb regarding the issues of rape and crime. However, he also speaks condescendingly to Tom, calling him "boy" and dismissing his remarks. So, no matter how he personally feels about the trial, he will do everything he can to win it. He speaks with an air of hostility against Tom to capitalize on the prejudice already felt against him. This hostility is so strong that even Dill, who probably does not understand its source, can sense it. He breaks into tears and must be taken from the courtroom.

Atticus considers Judge Taylor a fair and sympathetic man. He is the one who appointed Atticus as Tom's defender in the first place, & Atticus is relieved that he is the sitting judge for the trial. He feels that Tom has a better chance with Judge Taylor than anyone else. Like Atticus and Mr. Gilmer, Judge Taylor is doing his job to the best of his ability. When Link Deas speaks up on behalf of Tom, Judge Taylor is ready to throw him out and declare a mistrial. He is also keenly aware of the sensitive nature of the proceedings, so he attempts to make everyone, witnesses and audience, comfortable.