Judge Williams sua sponte appointed three friends of the court to opine as to whether the court has subject-matter jurisdiction in the lawsuit President Trump brought against the Internal Revenue Service. The parties had asked for 90 days to explore potential settlement and Judge Williams expressed concerns regarding whether the parties are truly adverse.
Judge Williams appointed heavyweights from outside the district to opine, namley: John Gleeson and David A. O’Neil of Debevoise and Plimpton; Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. of Munger Tolles; and Faith E. Gay, Philippe Z. Selendy, and Corey Stoughton of Selendy Gay. Their memorandum is due on May 21. The order can be found here.
Judge Williams didn't know (or, perhaps, want to bother) any lawyers in Miami?
ReplyDeleteI assume the judge contacted the lawyers or firms beforehand. Can a judge really just appoint a random lawyer as an amici without any input?
ReplyDeleteGleeson was appointed to a similar role in the Michael Flynn prosecution and excoriated Trump and Bill Barr, so we know why Williams picked him.
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