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
Monday, May 09, 2011
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Congrats to Bob Scola (UPDATED)
The White House officially nominated him yesterday. Congrats!
Now we need to get the Congress to confirm him and Kathy Williams. The holdup is inexcusable.
Here's the press release from the White House:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011
President Obama Nominates Six Judges to United States District Courts
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama nominated Dana L. Christensen, Katherine B. Forrest, Justice John M. Gerrard, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Edgardo Ramos, and Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. for District Court judgeships.
"These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system," said President Barack Obama. "I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity."
Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. serves as a Judge on Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit, where he has presided over criminal, civil, and family law matters since 1995. Prior to joining the bench, he spent a decade in private practice as both a sole practitioner and, from 1992 to 1993, at the law firm of Quinon, Strafer & Scola, as a criminal defense attorney representing a wide range of defendants in both state and federal courts. Judge Scola began his law practice at the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney, where he worked from 1980 to 1986. He received his J.D., cum laude, in 1980 from Boston College Law School and his B.A. in 1977 from Brown University.
UPDATED
Federal Bar President Brett Barfield tells me that the Federal Bar Luncheon next week will address the judicial confirmation process and what's taking so long. Here's the info:
The Federal Bar Association
SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
LUNCHEON MEETING
When: Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Where: The Bankers Club
Guest Speaker: Bruce Moyer, the Federal Bar Association's National Counsel for Government Relations. We'll leave plenty of time to relax and catch up with each other before and after Bruce's talk at this last FBA lunch before the summer break.
The Federal Bar Association maintains a national presence in Washington through its advocacy and representation in the halls of Congress, the White House and throughout the Executive Branch. Coordinating that effort is Bruce Moyer, the FBA’s Counsel for Government Relations, a thirty-year Washington attorney and legislative representative. Bruce will address the challenges currently facing the federal judiciary, including the judicial vacancies crisis, and the significant role that the FBA is playing to sustain and support the federal courts and the administration of justice.
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Valet parking is available for $5.00 on
Flagler Street at Biscayne in front of Mia Restaurant. The
Bankers Club validates only valet parking
Cost: $35.00 for members
$50.00 for non-members
$20.00 for government, academic, and public interest lawyers
SPACE IS LIMITED: RSVP by reply to this email (fba@hklaw.com) or by calling (305) 789-7614 by Friday, May 6!
Please make checks payable to Federal Bar Association, c/o Brett Barfield,701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000 Miami, FL 33131
Now we need to get the Congress to confirm him and Kathy Williams. The holdup is inexcusable.
Here's the press release from the White House:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011
President Obama Nominates Six Judges to United States District Courts
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama nominated Dana L. Christensen, Katherine B. Forrest, Justice John M. Gerrard, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Edgardo Ramos, and Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. for District Court judgeships.
"These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system," said President Barack Obama. "I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity."
Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. serves as a Judge on Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit, where he has presided over criminal, civil, and family law matters since 1995. Prior to joining the bench, he spent a decade in private practice as both a sole practitioner and, from 1992 to 1993, at the law firm of Quinon, Strafer & Scola, as a criminal defense attorney representing a wide range of defendants in both state and federal courts. Judge Scola began his law practice at the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney, where he worked from 1980 to 1986. He received his J.D., cum laude, in 1980 from Boston College Law School and his B.A. in 1977 from Brown University.
UPDATED
Federal Bar President Brett Barfield tells me that the Federal Bar Luncheon next week will address the judicial confirmation process and what's taking so long. Here's the info:
The Federal Bar Association
SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
LUNCHEON MEETING
When: Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Where: The Bankers Club
Guest Speaker: Bruce Moyer, the Federal Bar Association's National Counsel for Government Relations. We'll leave plenty of time to relax and catch up with each other before and after Bruce's talk at this last FBA lunch before the summer break.
The Federal Bar Association maintains a national presence in Washington through its advocacy and representation in the halls of Congress, the White House and throughout the Executive Branch. Coordinating that effort is Bruce Moyer, the FBA’s Counsel for Government Relations, a thirty-year Washington attorney and legislative representative. Bruce will address the challenges currently facing the federal judiciary, including the judicial vacancies crisis, and the significant role that the FBA is playing to sustain and support the federal courts and the administration of justice.
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Valet parking is available for $5.00 on
Flagler Street at Biscayne in front of Mia Restaurant. The
Bankers Club validates only valet parking
Cost: $35.00 for members
$50.00 for non-members
$20.00 for government, academic, and public interest lawyers
SPACE IS LIMITED: RSVP by reply to this email (fba@hklaw.com) or by calling (305) 789-7614 by Friday, May 6!
Please make checks payable to Federal Bar Association, c/o Brett Barfield,701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000 Miami, FL 33131
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Happy Star Wars day
May the 4th be with you.
For my fellow nerds: http://m.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/may-the-4th-be-with-you-could-han-shoot-second/
For my fellow nerds: http://m.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/may-the-4th-be-with-you-could-han-shoot-second/
So you want to be a Magistrate?
There are two openings in West Palm Beach. From a blast email sent from the Court yesterday:
Subject: Vacancy of U.S. Magistrate Judge (Two Positions)
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of two full-time United States Magistrate Judges for the Southern District of Florida. These appointments will succeed incumbents, who will be retiring on or about January 6, 2012 and May 27, 2012 respectively, and both positions will be located in the West Palm Beach Division. The full vacancy announcement and application can be located on the Court's website, www.flsd.uscourts.gov, with applications due no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2011. For more information, contact Steven M. Larimore, Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court, 400 North Miami Avenue, Room 8N09, Miami, FL 33128, or the Chair of the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, John Mariani, Esq., 525 Okeechobee Blvd, Suite 1100, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Subject: Vacancy of U.S. Magistrate Judge (Two Positions)
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of two full-time United States Magistrate Judges for the Southern District of Florida. These appointments will succeed incumbents, who will be retiring on or about January 6, 2012 and May 27, 2012 respectively, and both positions will be located in the West Palm Beach Division. The full vacancy announcement and application can be located on the Court's website, www.flsd.uscourts.gov, with applications due no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2011. For more information, contact Steven M. Larimore, Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court, 400 North Miami Avenue, Room 8N09, Miami, FL 33128, or the Chair of the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, John Mariani, Esq., 525 Okeechobee Blvd, Suite 1100, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Justice Scalia is funny
Here's another (nerdy) example from his dissent yesterday in Montana v. Wyoming:
"The Court interprets the Yellowstone River Compact...the right to grant...Wyomans the right to increase their consumption..."*
"*The dictionary-approved term is “Wyomingite,” which is also the name of a type of lava, see Webster’s New International Dictionary 2961 (2d ed. 1957). I believe the people of Wyoming deserve better."
"The Court interprets the Yellowstone River Compact...the right to grant...Wyomans the right to increase their consumption..."*
"*The dictionary-approved term is “Wyomingite,” which is also the name of a type of lava, see Webster’s New International Dictionary 2961 (2d ed. 1957). I believe the people of Wyoming deserve better."
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