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SUPREME COURT
With the illness of Justice Ginsburg, how does that effect the widely anticipated retirements of Justices Stevens and Souter? Stevens has done a superb job, but as the bible says, there is a time for everything, and his time on the court is coming to an end. Justice Souter, who is much younger than Stevens, has never taken to Washington, DC. A nasty mugging while jogging a few years ago in DC did nothing to make his view of the Capital any better. Souter is an odd bird, and he prefers the solitude of his New Hampshire cabin to the solitude of his Supreme Court chambers. But while President Obama was widely believed to have two Supreme Court nominations to make during his first term, he may now have three. While Ginsburg has often talked about working until her mid 80's, (she is 75 now) the post surgery pathology reports will go a long way to knowing the future of her health.
Any possibility a Supreme Court nominee comes from the Florida area, including the 11th Circuit? Will anyone we know even make a short list?
RECESSION STORIES
The recession has hit everyone hard, the legal profession included. Large firms have laid off attorneys and staff. Nobody is hiring. Many of our readers are self employed or work in a small firm. The others work for the PDs or the SAO.
How has the recession affected you? If you are a PD or ASA, have you put off your plans to go private? If you're running your own firm, what strategies are you using to survive.
Who's making it? Who isn't?
One thing's for certain- that black robe some of you wear has a big red target on the back. That juicy, guaranteed salary and benefits looks mighty appealing to attorneys wondering where their next client is coming from.
Just a friendly thought from your favourite blogger.
See You In Court.
Timely Chef Judge Poll rump. Good job.
ReplyDeleteCJ Trivia
One CJ candidate is a master at The Tango; the other plays high level internet chess for fun. This CJ Candidate likes to spend an hour in Washington Square Park whenever in NYC and takes a few bucks off the local chess hustlers until they realize they can't compete with him.
One CJ candidate eats the same thing for lunch every weekend- PBJ and an apple, while the other can be found in the finest restaurants in the land.
Which CJ is which?
Camacho for Supreme Court
ReplyDeletethat guy bil barzee is making all the money
ReplyDeleteRumpole:
ReplyDelete1. Why isn't Dale Ross included in the poll for Chief Judge?
2. Rumor has it that Judge Adrien is on Obama's short list for U.S. Supreme Court openings.
3. How am I making it in private practice? I offer a reduced fee to my robbery clients in return for them teaching me a few tricks of the trade. Then I put them to good use.........
Back to reality, I like the CJ Trivia post. Both Judge Fernandez and Judge Brown are fine judges with very good judicial temperment and either one would make a quality Chief Judge.
As an outsider who knows most of the players involved, IMHO it's not about anglos vs. hispanics, or tribesmen v. others. More about county vs. circuit given the muddled seniority issues.
ReplyDeleteBut, my robed friends, ask yourself this. Who will be a better public face for our system, in investitures, functions, etc. Do you go gregarious or introverted?
Who will better be suited for the budget fight? Does experience in a highly politicized bureaucracy help or hurt (other than the court system, of course)?
Who will take a more active role in internal issues?
From my perspective as a practitioner who wants the courthouse doors open, wants more judges, and wants things running smoothly, I know what my vote would be if I had one. I know both canditates, both personally and professionally, and while both have fabulous qualifications, Ivan is the guy for the times.
Just my two cents.
GinsbUrg, not GinsbErg, GinsbUrg!
ReplyDeleteTo the pds and state attorneys and private lawyers at big firm jobs:
ReplyDeleteContrary to popular belief, there is no time like the present to go out on your own. There are plenty of clients to go around. If you are professional, courteous, hustle, and have a passion about what you do, you’ll do fine.
What I’ve been doing since the recession hit:
First and foremost - doing an excellent job for the clients. Trying more cases. Focusing on relationships. If people like you and trust you, they will send you business. You won’t have to ask. Helping others. If people I know need something or someone I know can help them with their problem, I do what I can to help. Taking time out to spend with my family - the most important people in the world.
What I’ve NOT been doing:
Lowering my fees - I don't compete on price. Going to every happy hour/social glad-handing people passing out business cards. In short, being a networking asshole. Asking other people to send me business. Spending money on AT&T yellow pages or direct mail.
How is spending time with your family analagous to making money????
ReplyDeleteMy vote for chief judge is the one who can actually make judges take the bench on time, stop smacking gum while they are on the bench, and who tells the judges to stop talking just to hear the sound of their own voice. Some of us have clients to meet and cases to prepare instead of standing in line at the podium all morning/day long.
ReplyDeleteNobody's gonna go broke just a bunch of cheap bastards practicing law. Get some court appt's and stop complaining about the low rate of $2 bucks an hour, simply meet and plead them out.
ReplyDeleteWho makes more?
County Mayor is about $200K
County Clerk is about $200K
County Judge is about $150K
What does the state senate pay? Let's lobby to reduce all county and city pay to max $100K. Public servants should not make more than $100K in such bad times.
I just took my team the Cardinals to the Super Bowl, ran a defense that had 12 take aways during the playoffs, and i JUST LOST MY JOB. WTF????
ReplyDeleteVANITY FAIR APRIL 2009
ReplyDeleteTHE DARK SIDE OF SHUMIE TIME
Lost Work Hours; productivity down; morale low; higher rates for alcohol abuse- Shumie Time costs this nation millions every month.
It's not all fun and games. The Dark Side of Shumie Time, in Vanity Fair April 2009
Who is Grey Tesh? Is that a real person? Does he work in the building? As a lawyer?....i'm confused.
ReplyDeleteTo 2:47
ReplyDeleteJust the fact that you ask this question means that you will never understand the answer.
Monday @ 10:17--you an insider--hahahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteI said "outsider", doofus.
ReplyDelete