Monday, November 10, 2008

Everyone is flattered

Here is the Daily Business Review article discussing potential replacements for Alex Acosta now that Obama has been elected. All the candidates say that they are flattered to be considered. It's a very good slate of candidates, including Jackie Becerra and Curt Miner -- two smart young and dynamic lawyers that I have tried cases against.

But on a personal note, I am very sad that Acosta may be replaced. He has been a wonderful US Attorney. If he was to get a grade, it would clearly be an A. He is very smart, and has always been dedicated to doing the right thing. I can't say enough about how great he has been.

I know I am not alone in saying this.
He has won the support of his own office, the defense bar, and the judges. I have spoken to many prosecutors and defense lawyers who say that the only thing bad about an Obama presidency is having to replace Acosta. Well, perhaps Obama will surprise us and reach across the aisle, as he is known to do, and keep Acosta. If not, he's got a fine list to choose from.

Sorry for the formatting, but I have a new blackberry and I am still figuring it out.

http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/news.html?news_id=51603

The list includes newly minted Florida state Sen. Dan Gelber, a partner at Akerman Senterfitt in Miami; Greenberg Traurig litigators Mark Schnapp and Jackie Becerra in Miami; Bruce Udolf, a white-collar specialist at Berger Singerman in Fort Lauderdale; Curtis Miner, a partner at Colson Hicks & Eidson in Coral Gables and Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Daryl Trawick.
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At least two people from the list are already canvassing for support, a source said.
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A possible internal candidate would be Jeff Sloman, Acosta's top assistant. Sloman is likely to take over as interim U.S. attorney if Acosta decides to step down before a replacement is named. Guy Lewis stepped from the first assistant slot to acting U.S. attorney in 2000 when Tom Scott resigned after George W. Bush's victory and stayed until August 2002 when Marcos Jimenez was appointed.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

15 comments:

Rumpole said...

Please let your readers know that I am NOT on the list nor am I interested in serving at the moment. You can add Minor to the list of Harvard boys I have schooled in the past.

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Rumpole said...

I got a new blackberry too, The Bold. And I don't know how to work it either, thus the repetitive comments. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

What evidence is there for your assertion that Obama "is known to" reach across the aisle?

Nothing in his record supports this assertion, and his first cabinet appointment is known for being a partisan attack-dog.

Anonymous said...

Obama himself has said that he will reach across the aisle and that should be good enough for you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, okay. Thanks.

C'est prace!

Anonymous said...

BIG Win for David. Congratulations!

Rumpole said...

David beat the DOJ anti-trust guys???? Way to go mi amigo. See- aren't you glad you didn't give it up for civil?

Anonymous said...

DOJ Main has been having a tough time lately.

Anonymous said...

Give everyone a break. Stop sucking up to Acosta, who has been a dismal excuse for a US Atty. He could not lawyer or manage his way out of a paper bag and has no respect in the office. As for the list you cited, they are all dispticks and unqualified political hacks or mediocre want to be lawyers, except for Jeff Sloman. Why not Ben Kuehne, Guy Lewis, or Hugh Culverhouse? (LOL)

If Obama's people are tuned in, there is no real pick other than SLOMAN.

Anonymous said...

Aoosta has a lot of respect in his office - respect he has earned, through hard work and communication. Unlike so many before him, he is always willing to listen to the defense bar's concerns yet at the same time respects those AUSA with real experience and judgment. He is a class act and many of us wish him well in whatever he does in the future.

Anonymous said...

you have to get state hack bungpole off your blog - he is a liability. henough about state plea machines - what happened to the federal trial you and calli were in ?!?!?!

Anonymous said...

I agree with the comments about Alex Acosta.

Prosecutors should not be Republican or Democratic.

They should be righteous and dedicated.

Mr. Acosta has conducted his office with grace and dignity, professionalism and pride, from his own conduct to the character of his appointments.

There is no need to replace him, though politics and precedence seems to always win out over performance.