Congrats to Judge Raag Singhal!

He finally had his investiture today (he's been a federal judge since 12/19, but COVID delayed this event) and it was lovely. Judge Singhal is one of the good guys and it was evident from the glowing speakers and really wonderful turnout on a Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend during COVID. Sadly, my selfie game didn't really improve all that much.  Congrats, Judge!

A Conversation About the Constitution

By John Byrne

Interesting and fun conversation yesterday afternoon in Chief Judge Altonaga's courtroom.  Judge Altman interviewing Yale Professor Akhil Reed Amar about his book, "The Words That Made US:  America's Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840."  Takeaways--George Washington, not James Madison, was the true Father of the Constitution, and Professor Amar should get royalty checks for scripting portions of the movie Air Force One and The West Wing.  Chief Judge Altonaga, Judge Altman, and Judge Becerra were all students of Professor Amar at Yale Law School.

Chief Judge Altonaga issues new CARES Act Order

 You can read it here.

Basically it allows for video and telephonic hearings, but only for out of custody clients.  It does not continue jury trials.  The order is good for the next 90 days.

Congrats to your newest Magistrate Judge, Melissa Damian

Woohoo! This is great.

 

SDFLA Cert Grant

 This morning I posted some Supreme Court news, but I missed the big cert grant from this District.  Congrats to Andy Adler and Michael Caruso.  The case is Kemp v. United States. 

 The issue presented is: "Whether Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(1) authorizes relief based on a district court’s error of law."

The 11th Circuit opinion ruling against the defendant is here.   

This isn't their first trip to SCOTUS.  Adler argued last term in Terry v. United States.