This anonymous account is a great follow on Twitter for judicial updates. Here’s his thread today:
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
Judge Wilson, who is a very good judge and has more seniority than Bill Pryor, just recently turned 65 so he is ineligible to become chief judge. If I were a cynical person, I would accuse Carnes and Pryor of conspiring to prevent Judge Wilson, a more moderate judge and shockingly, the ONLY African-American judge on the eleventh circuit, from becoming chief judge. If I were a cynical person.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Carnes have to step down at 70? So the potential conspiracy is that Carnes could have stepped before it was mandatory (and before Judge Wilson turned 65) and allowed Wilson to become chief? That would have been nice I guess but I don't think it's necessarily sinister that Carnes simply waited until age 70 knowing it would allow a fellow Alabaman and conservative to become chief. I don't think it's very likely that if the shoe were on the other foot a moderate/dem appointee would have timed their retirement to allow Carnes or Pryor to become chief if they had more seniority.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's true, 10:37. Carnes was required to step down as chief judge because he just turned 70 yesterday (the same day he stepped down).
ReplyDeleteHe served almost all of the seven year term.
However, it would have been nice if he had stepped down a year earlier so that Wilson could serve as chief judge, just like Dubina stepped down early so that Carnes could become chief judge before turning 65. Pryor will have the same decision to make at the end of his term -- if he steps down a year early, then Bert Jordan can be chief.
Hard to imagine it could get worse...and yet. Fuck.
ReplyDeleteHistory.
ReplyDeleteCarnes got to be chief judge only because Dubina stepped down before the end of his term as chief judge. If Dubina had served his full term, Carnes would have been too old to become chief judge (an 11th cir without Carnes as chief jugde? Hmmmm?).
Edmondson became chief judge only because his brethren, Anderson, stepped down before the end his term. Again, Edmondson would have been too old if Anderson had served a full term.
Tjoflat became chief judge only because Roney stepped down before the end of his term. Same thing.
Just to be clear, I am not associated with the anonymous twitter account. Too much technology. Although I support the concept.
ReplyDelete12:15 lets put this in biblical terms. Roney begat Tjoflat who begat Anderson who begat Edmondson who begat Dubina who begat Carnes.
ReplyDeleteHere's the real question- Will Luck be on the court long enough to become CJ? Or if Trump wins.....
It is a common courtesy extended to a colleague who would otherwise miss out on being chief. Now, Carnes may have offered to step down early, which would have been a wonderful gesture especially since Wilson is the only African-American judge in this very southern circuit, and Wilson may have simply said no, thanks.
ReplyDeleteBut given the pettiness and divisiveness that has marked Carnes' tenure as chief judge (just read the opinions), I sincerely doubt it.
I wasn't aware of the recent history of chief judges stepping down early. Also I can't believe Pryor has been on the 11th for 15 years. Jeez I'm getting old.
ReplyDeletePryor's boyish good looks are deceiving.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the big deal about being a chief judge? What judge wants to spend countless hours haggling over budgetary issues, new court construction, political infighting over who gets the corner office. I remember reading a book by Rehnquist about the history of the supreme court. Being a chief is not at all what people think it is.
ReplyDelete8:31 - that's like asking why someone would want to be a federal judge in the first place.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about ambition and ego. Think about the most recent chief judges in the SDFLA. You don't think they enjoyed being chief judge?
You don't think John Roberts enjoys being chief justice?
You don't think Carnes enjoyed being chief judge of the 11th Cir?
You don't think Pryor has been champing at the bit waiting for the day he gets to be chief judge of the 11th Cir.?
Please!
All of you guys buried the lede… Brasher "coincidentally" clerked for Bill Pryor. Coincidence my ass.
ReplyDeleteYep. Just like it was coincidence that Luck clerked for Ed Carnes
ReplyDelete10:05. You are correct. All ego and no substance. But let's not underestimate the power of dictating the strength and brand of the coffee served at judges' meetings.
ReplyDeleteRemember when Moreno stepped down early to give Graham the opportunity?
ReplyDelete