Even as automatic budget cuts force various federal agencies to cut spending, a group of federal judges from the Atlanta-based Eleventh Circuit went ahead with their 2013 Judicial Conference last week, spending several days - and maybe several hundred thousand dollars - at a golf resort and spa in Savannah, Georgia.
"The Eleventh Circuit did not cancel the 2013 conference because it is an infrequent and valuable meeting of judges and attorneys that improves the administration of justice within the circuit," said James Gerstenlauer, the Chief Executive of the Eleventh Circuit, as he defended the legal gathering.
"In addition, there were significant financial costs associated with cancelling the conference because of contractual guarantees made to the hotel and the conference center," Gerstenlauer added in an email.
The gathering of 167 federal judges from Georgia, Florida and Alabama came just weeks after the Chief Judge for the Eleventh Circuit was quoted on a legal web site as saying the $85 billion sequester was having a "devastating impact" on the federal judiciary.
The last judicial conference held by the Eleventh Circuit was in May of 2011 at the Swan Hotel in Orlando, Florida; Gerstenlauer said that gathering cost "about $211,000 in travel and lodging expenses" for 159 judges.
"The government travel costs for the 2013 conference are not yet compiled," Gerstenlauer said.
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The theme of the conference was, "Justice, History, and Civil Liberties," and featured "historical presentations about Thomas Jefferson and the trial of the slave ship Wanderer."
"No taxpayer funds were spent for speakers for the conference or for the slave ship Wanderer presentation," Gerstenlauer said.
The article also has a response from the 11th Circuit, which is interesting. Here's a portion of it:
No taxpayer funds were spent for speakers for the conference or for the slave ship Wanderer presentation.
Attendees received retractable pens, which cost approximately 58 cents each; no taxpayer funds were used to purchase the pens. No gifts were provided to conferees.
The Eleventh Circuit did not cancel the 2013 conference because it is an infrequent and valuable meeting of judges and attorneys that improves the administration of justice within the circuit. In addition, there were significant financial costs associated with cancelling the conference because of contractual guarantees made to the hotel and the conference center.
The travel expenses for federal judges were paid with government funds pursuant to travel regulations. No reimbursements were provided for either their spouses or family members. Attorney attendees paid a $375 conference registration fee and paid their own travel expenses. The government travel costs for the 2013 conference are not yet compiled.
What are your thoughts on judicial conferences?
9 comments:
Sounds like a real barn burner.
I have great respect for the federal judiciary. But these conferences are boondogle.
Been to them. No boondoggle. Boredom maybe. But this last one was well done.
Why is the lamestream media not reporting that Rubio is obstructing selection of federal judges?
the judges of the eleventh circuit are scattered throughout three states. it makes very good sense, from a managerial perspective alone, for them to meet on occasion.
I don't think the point is that they shouldn't meet; I think the point is that they should do so in a more cost effective way.
When some of those good old boys and gals from Alabama and Georgia get together.... Chewin tobacky, moonshine, ham hocks all served around the ceememt swimin hole.... Watch out!!
Judicial response to criticism: "Let them eat cake."
No worse than the Chief USPO 's conferences.
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