Wednesday, November 30, 2005

New state court gossip blog

Just wanted to point you all to a fun new blog about the state court justice building in Miami, called Justice Building Blog. Its author is Rumpole, who describes himself* this way:
In order to allow a free and fun discussion of the Justice Building, and because from time to time I need to get my clients a bond, I have assumed the identity of that famed English Defense Attorney Rumpole of the Bailey. What I can reveal is that I am a practicing criminal defense attorney in Miami, Florida who has the same high opinion of Judges, Prosecutors, Civil Lawyers, and stuffed shirts as my fictitious alter ego.
I've been asked who the author is and have even been asked if it was me. I don't know who it is and it certainly isn't me.

*Although I use the male pronoun, for all we know Rumpole could be a woman. See, e.g., Article III Groupie, A/K/A AUSA David Lat.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Congrats to . . .

Michael Caruso on being named the Chief Assistant Federal Defender for the Southern District of Florida. Michael is one of the finest lawyers I know.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Moving day...

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. The weather in Miami was 75 and sunny all weekend. Today is my first day at the new office, in the Alfred I. duPont Building. In a couple hours I'm taking off to Savannah on business and won't be back until Thursday. I'll do my best to post while I'm there and if not, my co-blogger -- Anonymous -- promises to post.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Bench trial = $60 million

After a bench trial, Judge Gonzalez awarded $60.9 million to a couple whose son suffered severe brain damage when he was born in a Jacksonville Navy hospital two years ago. It is the largest verdict ever under the Federal Tort Claims Act. (I wonder if it is the largest bench trial verdict.)

A couple of interesting points -- first, the case was originally assigned to Judge Graham who had to transfer the case because of Wilma. Second, the law has changed since the filing of the suit so that damages are now capped at $1 million. More coverage here and here. Plaintiffs lawyers were Ervin Gonzalez and Deborah Gander.