Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the News

[Topper]

As part of my initial training at the big firm, I worked on a couple of litigation matters (this was 35 years ago) and I still remember well motions in limine, but I'm clueless on Pullman and Younger. A few years ago a Superior Court judge indicated his interest in giving Jerry Brown my name as a nominee for a judgeship. I declined because (a) I don't think anyone three decades removed from a courtroom should be considered for the bench, nor should dunces like the guy in question here, and (b) I was informed I would have to work every day, with regular hours, a prospect I found depressing and undesirable.

I have no doubt you would have done an excellent judge but you could't afford the pay cut.

[Pelado]

I agree with those who think PAC would make a great judge. Solomon's got nothing on PAC.

As for the questions to the nominee, I watched the video a few days ago. I don't remember being familiar with any of the terms about which he was asked. In fairness, though, I've also never attended law school.

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[All-American]

Peterson withdraws as nominee.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/politi...aws/index.html

You have to feel for the guy. Probably none of us will ever face the humiliation he just went through.

[Green Monstah]

Peterson withdraws as nominee.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/politi...aws/index.html

You have to feel for the guy. Probably none of us will ever face the humiliation he just went through.

If Trump nominated me to be a federal judge, I wouldn't say no. I'd probably explore it, figuring that it's litigation, not rocket science, and with the assistance of a good clerk or two, I'd be fine in short order.

[falafel]

If Trump nominated me to be a federal judge, I wouldn't say no. I'd probably explore it, figuring that it's litigation, not rocket science, and with the assistance of a good clerk or two, I'd be fine in short order.

And then, a few months and a disastrous confirmation hearing later, you'd withdraw just like Peterson.

[Green Monstah]

And then, a few months and a disastrous confirmation hearing later, you'd withdraw just like Peterson.

Haha. Probably. But, I think I'd dust off my FRE and Procedure outlines before the confirmation hearing and at least pretend like I know what I'm talking about.

[Topper]

If Trump nominated me to be a federal judge, I wouldn't say no. I'd probably explore it, figuring that it's litigation, not rocket science, and with the assistance of a good clerk or two, I'd be fine in short order.

I would accept because the key being a great judge is knowing basic procedure, understanding evidence, being level-headed, considerate to counsel, and being able to discern BS from reality, and putting the interests of the litigants before that of counsel. Those are qualities that can be acquired through experience and doesn't require being the world-beater litigator, but it does require familiarity with the courtroom.

[CardiacCoug]

Peterson withdraws as nominee.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/politi...aws/index.html

You have to feel for the guy. Probably none of us will ever face the humiliation he just went through.

If Trump had a better relationship with the Republicans in Congress this wouldn’t have happened, right?

Seems like this grandstanding ambush is a way to get back at Trump in a small way.

No idea whether or not this guy could have been a competent judge with a little bit of studying.

[myboynoah]

And then, a few months and a disastrous confirmation hearing later, you'd withdraw just like Peterson.

Are these things that hard to prepare for?

[falafel]

Are these things that hard to prepare for?

No, that's partially why the hearing was so disastrous.

But at the same time, you can't prepare for the fact that you've never tried a case, argued a motion, or even taken a solo deposition.

[All-American]

Mormons in the News

No, that's partially why the hearing was so disastrous.

But at the same time, you can't prepare for the fact that you've never tried a case, argued a motion, or even taken a solo deposition.

By way of example, when watching the video, once I realized what was happening, I'd pause after hearing the question to see if I could answer before hearing his response. I got all but one-- I missed the Pullman abstention question. I knew the rest from practicing in litigation for five years. And I promise you that I have no business thinking about being on the bench with that little experience.

Someone without a lick of litigation experience could spend weeks preparing and not think to look up Younger or Pullman. They'd probably learn by accident what a motion in limine is. But just as well to learn those things by living them daily for decades. And just as well to nominate someone who has already done just that.

[cowboy]

What on earth led to this poor chap's nomination? Did he do Trump a favor, is he really good in his current position so, in typical fashion, he was promoted one step beyond his competence level? Or was he just to arrogant/dumb/whatever to prepare for a hearing he should have been able to sail through? I don't understand the process, so this seems like a multi-level failure.

[Applejack]

What on earth led to this poor chap's nomination? Did he do Trump a favor, is he really good in his current position so, in typical fashion, he was promoted one step beyond his competence level? Or was he just to arrogant/dumb/whatever to prepare for a hearing he should have been able to sail through? I don't understand the process, so this seems like a multi-level failure.

I, personally, blame his BYU education.

[old_gregg]

he’s not a litigator. would be very surprised if your average biglaw non litigator did much better.

[creekster]

he’s not a litigator. would be very surprised if your average biglaw non litigator did much better.

Seriously? I have come across more than a few of those types over the years and I would be shocked if they couldn't all describe a motion in limine.