Everyone is flattered

Here is the Daily Business Review article discussing potential replacements for Alex Acosta now that Obama has been elected. All the candidates say that they are flattered to be considered. It's a very good slate of candidates, including Jackie Becerra and Curt Miner -- two smart young and dynamic lawyers that I have tried cases against.

But on a personal note, I am very sad that Acosta may be replaced. He has been a wonderful US Attorney. If he was to get a grade, it would clearly be an A. He is very smart, and has always been dedicated to doing the right thing. I can't say enough about how great he has been.

I know I am not alone in saying this.
He has won the support of his own office, the defense bar, and the judges. I have spoken to many prosecutors and defense lawyers who say that the only thing bad about an Obama presidency is having to replace Acosta. Well, perhaps Obama will surprise us and reach across the aisle, as he is known to do, and keep Acosta. If not, he's got a fine list to choose from.

Sorry for the formatting, but I have a new blackberry and I am still figuring it out.

http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/news.html?news_id=51603

The list includes newly minted Florida state Sen. Dan Gelber, a partner at Akerman Senterfitt in Miami; Greenberg Traurig litigators Mark Schnapp and Jackie Becerra in Miami; Bruce Udolf, a white-collar specialist at Berger Singerman in Fort Lauderdale; Curtis Miner, a partner at Colson Hicks & Eidson in Coral Gables and Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Daryl Trawick.
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At least two people from the list are already canvassing for support, a source said.
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A possible internal candidate would be Jeff Sloman, Acosta's top assistant. Sloman is likely to take over as interim U.S. attorney if Acosta decides to step down before a replacement is named. Guy Lewis stepped from the first assistant slot to acting U.S. attorney in 2000 when Tom Scott resigned after George W. Bush's victory and stayed until August 2002 when Marcos Jimenez was appointed.

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Miami Herald : South Florida ''Legal Legends'' honored at awards banquet

A wonderful list of honorees from the 11th Circuit Historical Society.

The one glaring omission is my former boss, Judge Edward B. Davis.

Here's the Herald article and the list of honorees:

http://m.miamiherald.com/mh/db_8477/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=rnerGm0N&full=true#display

Rosemary Barkett -- The first woman to serve on Florida's Supreme Court.

  Bennett Brummer -- Retiring Miami-Dade County Public Defender.

 Manuel Crespo (posthumously) -- First Cuban-American elected to serve on the Florida Bar Board of Governors.

 Arthur England, Jr. -- Former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.

  Peter Fay -- A federal appellate judge.

 Robert Floyd (posthumously) -- Miami's youngest mayor (elected at age 29).

 Seymour Gelber -- Former mayor of Miami Beach, 11th Circuit Court Judge  and author.

 Mario Goderich -- A founding member and the first president of the Cuban American Bar Association.

 Minnette Massey -- When named Acting Dean of the UM Law School she was one of two women in the country to serve in this position.

  H.T. Smith -- Attorney and one of the leaders of the City of Miami boycott.

 Osvaldo N. Soto -- Cuban civil rights attorney and former president of the Cuban-American Bar Association.

 Gerald Wetherington -- Served as chief Judge of the 11th Circuit Court for 10 years.

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Judge Huck tosses gun verdict in Joe Cool slayings

Breaking news!

That's clearly the right result, especially if the prosecution was going to retry the other counts.

Now, will there be an appeal before the retrial is scheduled?

Obama

Election Day

It's that time of year again.

Many federal judges aren't conducting trials today so that jurors can vote.

I always ask the question about judicial elections vs. appointments. Who has the better system? In the judicial races today, what do you know about the candidates? What does the general public know? Are we making an informed decision?

You all know my view -- the federal appointment system, which has its own flaws, is the better way to select judges.

Thoughts?