Tag Archives: Judges

U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland

The news is all abuzz about President Obama’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court and whether he should be considered by Congress or whether the next president should be the one to fill the vacant seat.  According to multiple outlets, shortly … Continue reading

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Cameras In The Courtroom – Take Three

Illinois has just joined a number of state courts — including Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri — that allow news cameras in their courtrooms.  According to a February 23, 2016 article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, titled Supreme Court … Continue reading

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RIP Justice Scalia

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away on February 13, 2016.  As arguably the most staunchly conservative jurist on the Court, his opinions often drew ire from opponents.  But what is now emerging is a more intimate look at … Continue reading

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Federal Criminal Sentencing Reform

As our loyal readers well know, we generally do not blog about criminal matters unless something truly remarkable compels us to do so.  Judge Stefan Underhill’s call to reform federal sentencing is one of those remarkable matters. Judge Underhill, who sits on … Continue reading

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Civil Justice System Reform

How do you change the deeply ingrained culture of the American civil justice system? According to Rebecca Love Kourlis by: polling the American public; engaging in focus groups and conversations with judges, lawyers, and court administrators; and reporting the results. Ms. Kourlis is … Continue reading

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Attorney Tip #12 – Simplicity and Clear Communication

There is a breed of lawyer that writes long-winded filings to the court, thinking that the length and complexity of his/her words will impress and win over the judge.  Roya Behnia does not agree.  Ms. Behnia, recent senior vice president, general … Continue reading

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The Chief Justice Chides Lawyers and Judges

We start the new year with a review of Chief Justice Roberts’ 2015 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary, which is the subject of a December 31, 2015 article in The Washington Post, titled Roberts urges lawyers, judges to help improve … Continue reading

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It’s National Love Your Lawyer Day!

The American Lawyers Public Image Association (ALPIA) announced in a press release that November 6, 2015 is National Love Your Lawyer Day and to commemorate the occasion, ALPIA is asking the public to cease lawyer jokes and bashing for the … Continue reading

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Judicial Transparency

We have posted on a number of occasions about the benefits of cameras in the courtroom, and recently another controversy sparking video has surfaced.  In an August 8, 2015 post titled, Tearful woman gets judicial scolding, 3 days in jail for failing … Continue reading

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Thinking of Representing Yourself? Do Your Homework

So you received a traffic ticket that requires you to appear in court, and you are thinking of representing yourself.  Depending on the severity of the possible penalties (fine, points and even jail time), going it alone should be carefully considered, and … Continue reading

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