Judge Thomas Marcelle – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York

A couple of unsuccessful judicial nominees from the George W. Bush administration have seen new light under President Trump, with mixed degrees of success.  In New York, the Trump Administration has renominated Thomas Marcelle, who saw his previous nomination fail in 2008.

Background

An Albany native, Thomas James Marcelle was born there in 1962.  He received a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in 1984 and went on to earn his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1988.[1]  Marcelle then maintained a solo practice in Albany, which continues to this day.[2]

In addition to his solo practice, Marcelle has worked as an Assistant Public Defender (working under Doug Rutnik, the father of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand), a Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice, and, from 2002 to 2012, as Minority Counsel to the Minority Caucus of the Albany County Legislature.[3]  From 2012 to 2015, Marcelle served as Albany County Attorney, and in 2016, as Chief Counsel for the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.  Since 2016, Marcelle has served as a Judge on the Cohoes City Court.

On July 31, 2008, then President George W. Bush nominated Marcelle to an open seat on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.  With the nomination coming after the “Thurmond Rule” was initiated, it was not processed by the Democratic Senate and the vacancy was filled by President Obama in 2011 with Judge Mae D’Agostino.

History of the Seat

Marcelle has been nominated to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.  This seat opened on January 1, 2016, when Judge Gary Sharpe moved to senior status.  While the seat opened with a year left in the Obama Administration, the Administration never extended a nominee for the vacancy and it was carried over into the Trump Administration.  In February 2018, upon the recommendation of two Republican Congressmen in New York, Lee Zeldin and John Faso, Marcelle was interviewed by the White House.[4]  The White House announced Marcelle’s nomination on October 10, 2018.

Legal Experience

While Marcelle has held many different legal positions in his career, his most significant cases have revolved around religious rights.  Notably, the only case that Marcelle argued before the Supreme Court involved religious rights.[5]  In that case, Marcelle represented a Good News Club, which was not permitted to use school facilities because of its inclusion of worship and prayer.[6]  The Supreme Court ultimately sided with Marcelle’s clients on a 6-3 basis.[7]

In other cases, Marcelle represented a kindergartener who sought to pray out loud before meals at her school.[8]  He also sued for the restoration of bricks bearing evangelical messages to a public school.[9] 

Jurisprudence

Since 2016, Marcelle serves as a City Court Judge in Cohoes.  In this capacity, Marcelle presides over small civil cases and criminal misdemeanors.  In the last two years, Marcelle has presided over approximately 200 bench trials.[10]  Among his more notable cases, Marcelle found that a defendant who struck and killed a sixteen-year-old girl was Not Guilty of violating the traffic codes for driving at an unreasonable or unsafe speed, as he was traveling at 53 mph in a 40 mph zone.[11]

Political Activity

Marcelle, a Republican, has been very politically active including running for office (unsuccessfully) twice, and successfully once (for the Bethlehem Town Council).[12]  Marcelle has also served on the Albany County Republican Committee between 1993 and 2011.[13]

In addition, Marcelle has been a member of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies since 1990 and has worked as an Allied Attorney Coordinator for Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian nonprofit which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for their work defending state sanctioned sterilization of transgender individuals abroad.

Overall Assessment

On paper, Marcelle’s nomination should be set for a comfortable confirmation.  Unlike in 2008, Republicans control the U.S. Senate, and, despite his strongly conservative record, it appears that New York’s Democratic senators have signed off on Marcelle’s nomination.[14]  However, perhaps in response to the Trump’s Administration decision to move Second Circuit nominees over the objections of Sens. Schumer & Gillibrand, Marcelle’s nomination has yet to receive a hearing.  It is possible that the Senators and the Administration will reach an agreement to fill the remaining New York vacancies.  Until then, it remains to be seen if Marcelle’s second nomination will be any more successful than his first.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 115th Cong., Thomas Marcelle: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] Id. at 2.

[3] Id.

[4] Id. at 48.

[5] See Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 533 U.S. 98 (20010.

[6] See Shannon McCaffrey, Justices Debate Church-State Case, Associated Press Online, Feb. 28, 2001.

[7] Good News Club, 533 U.S. at 98.

[8] SARATOGA SPRINGS, Judge Orders School to Allow Kindergartener to Say Grace, A.P. State & Local Wire, Feb. 6, 2002.

[9] Michael Virtanen, Judge Orders School District to Replace Bricks That Mention Jesus, A.P. State & Local Wire, Apr. 4, 2006.

[10] See Marcelle, supra n. 1 at 21.

[11] See People v. Lamb, 72 N.Y.S.3d 799 (Cohoes City Ct. 2018).

[12] See Marcelle, supra n. 1 at 33-34.

[13] See id. at 34.

[14] See Robert Gavin, Marcelle Seen in Line for Federal Judgeship, Albany Times Union, May 4, 2018, https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Marcelle-seen-in-line-for-federal-judgeship-12889507.php.  

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Judge Stanley Blumenfeld – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Of the seven candidates nominated to California federal courts so far, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld is the only one with judicial experience, having been a judge for the last thirteen years.

Background

Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. was born in Patchogue, NY in 1962.  Blumenfeld got a B.A. from Binghampton University in 1984, an M.A. from New York University in 1985 and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law in 1988.[1]  He then clerked for Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.[2]

In 1989, Blumenfeld joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California as a federal prosecutor.[3]  In 1993, he moved to the Los Angeles office of O’Melveny & Myers LLP.[4]  He became a Partner with the firm in 1998.

In 2006, Blumenfeld was named by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Los Angeles Superior Court, where he currently serves.[5] 

History of the Seat

Blumenfeld has been nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, to a seat vacated on August 1, 2014, by Judge Audrey Collins’ move to senior status.  On July 17, 2015, President Obama nominated Judge Mark A. Young, a colleague of Blumenfeld’s on the Los Angeles Superior Court, to fill the vacancy.  While Young’s nomination was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on November 5, 2015, he was blocked from a final vote for over a year by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, leaving the seat open for the Trump Administration.  

In August 2017, Blumenfeld was contacted by the White House to gauge his interest in a federal judgeship.[6]  He interviewed with the White House in September 2017 and then with selection committees set up by California’s Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.[7]  In October 2018, Blumenfeld was nominated by the White House.

Legal Experience

Blumenfeld has held two primary legal positions before joining the bench: as a federal prosecutor; and as an attorney at O’Melveny & Myers.  In the former position, Blumenfeld was in the civil division, and, as such, handled civil and constitutional claims in which the federal government was the defendant.  In the latter, Blumenfeld handled commercial and environmental litigation, as well as some white collar defense.  

Blumenfeld notably represented General Telephone and Electric Co. in defending a lawsuit brought by O.J. Simpson seeking access to phone records he claimed would exonerate him.[8]  Blumenfeld was able to get the lawsuit dismissed, with Judge Dean Pregerson finding that the suit “borders on being frivolous.”[9]

Jurisprudence

Since 2006, Blumenfeld has served as a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court.  In this role, Blumenfeld presides over trial court matters in criminal, civil, family, and other state law matters.  By his estimation, Blumenfeld has presided over around 200 trials in his judicial career.[10] 

Notably, Blumenfeld presided over the trial of the so-called “kitty litter” killer, Isaac Campbell.[11]  Campbell was so named for dumping the body of his victim into a trash can full of cat litter.[12]  Campbell was found “not guilty” of murder by a jury but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and Blumenfeld sentenced him to the maximum penalty, 11 years in prison.[13]

In other cases, Blumenfeld has shown a willingness to impose strict criminal penalties.  For example, he sentenced Richard Tauch, convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, to life in prison without the possibility of parole.[14]  In another case, he sentenced Carlos Andres Lopez to four years in prison for stealing a custom-made tricycle from a young boy with cerebral palsy.[15]

Political Activity

Blumenfeld is a Republican and has contributed to the campaign of President George W. Bush and to the Republican National Committee.[16]

Writings & Commentary

As a law student, Blumenfeld authored a note attempting to parse out the tension between two competing legal principles: the “master of the complaint” doctrine and the “artful pleading” doctrine.[17]  The former doctrine emphasizes the plaintiff’s right to dictate in their complaint which laws and jurisdictions they wish to avail themselves of whereas the latter allows state law claims to be moved to federal court where courts find that the complaint is essentially asserting a federal right.[18]  Blumenfeld argues in the note that the “artful pleading” doctrine serves no real purpose and undermines other legal principles that allow plaintiffs to shape “the face” of their lawsuit.[19]  As such, he recommends that the doctrine be abandoned.[20]

Overall Assessment

An overall review of Blumenfeld’s record does not suggest any characteristics that would make him controversial.  Rather, Blumenfeld was likely picked as a nominee because he was seen as acceptable to California’s Democratic senators.  However, with all California nominees in a temporary limbo, it remains to be seen if and when the confirmation process will start for Blumenfeld.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 115th Cong., Stanley Blumenfeld: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] See id. at 2.

[3] See id. 

[4] His tenure at O’Melveny overlapped with that of fellow CDCA nominee Mark Scarsi.

[5] See id. 

[6] Id. at 42.

[7] Id.

[8] Linda Deutsch, Federal Judge Throws Out O.J. Simpson Lawsuit, A.P. State & Local Wire, Apr. 25, 2000.

[9] See id. (quoting Judge Dean Pregerson).

[10] See Blumenfeld, supra n. 1 at 10.

[11] People v. Campbell, No. GA0707040 (L.A. Sup. Ct.).

[12] Lauren Gold, Alhambra ‘Kitty Litter’ Killer Gets Maximum Sentence, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, July 16, 2012.

[13] See id.

[14] ALHAMBRA, Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole For Murdering Ex-Girlfriend, Her New Boyfriend, City News Service, June 19, 2014.

[15] PASADENA, Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison For Stealing Disabled Boy’s $5300 Tricycle, City News Service, June 20, 2016.

[17] Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., Artful Pleading and Removal Jurisdiction: Ferreting out the True Nature of a Claim, 35 UCLA L. Rev. 315 (Dec. 1987).

[18] See id. at 317-20.

[19] Id. at 366-67.

[20] Id.

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Lee Rudofsky – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Lee Rudofsky finds himself in an unusual position for a judicial nominee: one of backing off of a legal position he previously took.  However, his reversal is from a position ultimately supported by the Supreme Court, the constitutional basis of same-sex marriage.

Background

Lee Philip Rudofsky was born in New York City in 1979.  Buscher attended the Cornell University, getting a B.A. in 2001 and an M.P.A. in 2002.[1]  He then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 2005.[2]  Rudofsky then clerked for Justice Robert Cordy on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and then for Judge Andrew Kleinfeld on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.[3]

After his clerkships, Rudofsky joined the D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis, where he would stay on and off until 2015.  While at the firm, however, Rudofsky took hiatuses to work for Steve Poizner’s campaign for Governor of California in 2010 and for Mitt Romney’s campaign for President in 2012.[4]

In 2015, the newly elected Republican Attorney General of Arkansas Leslie Rutledge hired Rudofsky to be Arkansas’ Solicitor General.  Rudofsky held the post until 2018 when he joined Walmart as Senior Director of their Global Anti-Corruption Compliance team.

History of the Seat

Rudofsky has been nominated for a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  This seat opened on March 31, 2018, when Judge Leon Holmes moved to senior status.  In late 2017, after Holmes had announced his departure, Rudofsky expressed his interest in a judgeship with Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton.[5]  Rudofsky interviewed with the Senators, a selection committee set up by Cotton and the White House in October 2018.[6]  However, he wasn’t selected as a nominee until February 2019, after numerous other candidates had been rejected.[7]  Rudofsky was finally nominated in June 2019.

Legal Experience

Rudofsky has spent his legal career divided between private practice and working as the Solicitor General of Arkansas, in which capacity Rudofsky served as the state’s top appellate attorney.

As Solicitor General, Rudofsky defended Arkansas’ Voter ID scheme against a challenge under the Arkansas Constitution.[8]  He also unsucessfully defended Arkansas’ policy of not placing same-sex parents on the birth certificates of children, a policy reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court.[9]  Rudofsky also argued against a Fayetteville ordinance protecting against discrimination, arguing that it was pre-empted by state law.[10]

In private practice, Rudofsky notably joined a brief supporting a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.[11]  Surprisingly, despite the Supreme Court’s adoption of his position, Rudofsky walked away from his support of same-sex marriage in his confirmation hearing, stating that he regretted joining the brief.[12]

Political Activity

Rudofsky has been active with the Republican Party since his college years, having been a member of Cornell Republicans.[13]  He then served as President of the Harvard Law Republicans as a law student.[14]  He has also worked on several Republican campaigns including those of Romney, Poizner, Cotton, and Rutledge.

Overall Assessment

Rudofsky is a talented attorney who will, similar to other Solicitor Generals appointed to the bench, face questions regarding the controversial laws he has defended, but will likely overcome that obstacle on the strength of the Republican majority.  However, the more interesting issue is how Rudofsky’s volte face on the issue of same-sex marriage will affect his confirmation.

Rudofsky signed onto a brief supporting the right to same-sex marriage under the Fourteenth Amendment, a position he has now rejected as misguided.  While lawyers can and do change positions on legal issues, Rudofsky’s justification for his reversal is that he has gained a better understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment since joining the brief.  However, the position Rudofsky has taken is one embraced by the U.S. Supreme Court and enshrined in U.S. law.  As such, his reversal creates two problems: first, it suggests that Rudofsky does not take much care in choosing the briefs he signs onto, casting doubt on his judgment; second, it suggests that his understanding of the Constitution is not informed by Supreme Court precedent, casting doubt on his neutrality.

To be more charitable to Rudofsky, it is possible that his expressed “regrets” are merely a way of ensuring that he does not become the next Michael Bogren, a lawyer rejected for taking a position that a senator disagreed with and of reconciling his prior positions with the more conservative ones he has embraced as Solicitor General.  It is also possible that Rudofsky has genuinely become more conservative since he signed onto the brief.  In any case, senators are sure to consider this issue closely in evaluating his nomination/

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 115th Cong., Lee Rudofsky: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] See id. 

[3] Id. at 2.

[4] See id.

[5] Id. at 53.

[6] Id.

[7] Max Brantley, The Latest on that Vacant Judgeship: Focus on a Newcomer to Arkansas, Arkansas Times, Mar. 18, 2019, https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2019/03/18/the-latest-on-that-vacant-federal-judgeship-focus-on-a-newcomer-to-arkansas.

[8] Haas v. Martin, 60CV-18-752 (Pulaski County, Arkansas).

[9] Pavan et al. v. Smith, 582 U.S. ___ (2017).

[10] Protect Fayetteville v. City of Fayetteville, 2017 Ark. 49.

[11] See Emma Roller, Why Only Two Republicans in Congress Admit to Supporting Gay Marriage, Slate, Feb. 26, 2013, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/02/gay-marriage-legal-brief-two-republicans-in-congress-support-lgbt-rights.html.  

[12] Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Up For Seat on U.S. Court Queried; Ex-Solicitor General Admits Regrets on Joining Briefs Supporting Gay Marriage, Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Aug. 1, 2019, https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/aug/01/arkansan-up-for-seat-on-u-s-court-queri/.  

[13] See Rudofsky, supra n. 1 at 25-26.

[14] See id.

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Mark Scarsi – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California is a very busy court.  However, it is particularly shorthanded at present, as a mix of retirements and deaths have left the court nine judges short. Ongoing negotiations between California’s Democratic senators and the White House, as well as mistrust from the White House’s Ninth Circuit nominations, have left the few district court picks in California hanging in limbo.  Among them is Mark Scarsi, an experienced intellectual property attorney in Los Angeles.

Background

Mark Christopher Scarsi was born in Syracuse, NY in 1964.  Scarsi attended Syracuse University, getting a B.A. in 1987 and an M.S. in 1993.[1]  He then received a J.D. magna cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1996.[2]

After law school, Scarsi joined Christie, Parker & Hale LLP in Pasadena as an Associate.[3]  In 1998, he moved to the Los Angeles office of O’Melveny & Myers LLP.  He became a Partner with the firm in 2003.

In 2007, Scarsi joined Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP in L.A. as a Partner and serves as Managing Partner of the L.A. office since 2013.[4] 

History of the Seat

Scarsi has been nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, to a seat vacated on January 6, 2017, by Judge George King’s move to senior status.  Scarsi had broached his interest in a judicial appointment in April 2017 with the White House.[5]  He interviewed with the White House in August 2017 and then with selection committees set up by California’s Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.[6]  In October 2018, Scarsi was nominated by the White House.

Legal Experience

Scarsi has spent virtually his entire career focusing on intellectual property law, and has tried twenty eight cases throughout his career, including fifteen jury trials.[7]  Notably, Scarsi has served as Apple’s attorney in defending a number of patent infringement claims.  For example, Scarsi helped defend Apple against an infringement suit brought by California inventor Richard Ditzik based on his 1997 patent for a wireless handset device.[8]  He also represented Apple in defending a suit brought by Netairus Technologies relating to the ability of Apple smartphones to communicate with cell towers and wifi signals.[9]  He also successfully defended Apple against an infringement suit brought by Wi-LAN Inc. relating to Apple’s alleged infringement of patents relating to the use of 3G technology.[10]

In other cases, Scarsi has represented Google,[11] and Lockheed Martin.[12] 

Writings & Commentary

Scarsi has occasionally commented on issues of law and policy through his career, including weighing in on the confirmation process for Justice Elena Kagan.[13]  Notably, Scarsi expressed his optimism following the 2010 midterm elections that a divided Congress would be able to enact patent reform, stating:

“Maybe a divided Congress creates a perfect storm in which patent reform can be passed.”[14]

Overall Assessment

The White House and California’s Democratic Senators have already had some public clashes over the three California Ninth Circuit nominees confirmed so far.  While Feinstein and Harris had limited control over appellate confirmations, they have considerable power over Scarsi.  As such, his confirmation will ultimately turn on whether the White House can reach an agreement with the senators over California’s district court judges.  Such a deal may ultimately include a nominee to fill a Fourth California seat on the Ninth Circuit as well.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 115th Cong., Mark Scarsi: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] See id.

[3] See id. at 2.

[4] See id. 

[5] See id. at 24.

[6] Id.

[7] Id. at 15.

[8] Jason Frankovitz, Apple Patent Trial Goes to Jury: Why Fight When You Can License, TechZulu, Nov. 20, 2013.

[9] Netairus Technologies, LLC v. Apple Inc., Civ. No. 2:10cv03257-JAK-E (C.D. Cal.), aff’d, 587 F. App’x 658 (Fed. Cir. 2014).

[10] Wi-LAN Inc. v. Apple Inc., et al., Civ. No. 2:12-cv-600-JRG (E.D. Tex.), aff’d, 811 F.3d 455 (Fed. Cir. 2016).

[11] See Callwave Communications v. Google, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 12-cv-1701, 1704, 1788-RGA, 207 F.Supp.3d 405 (D. Del. 2016).

[12] See Space Sys./Loral, Inc. v. Lockheed Martin Corp., C-95-3530 SI (N.D. Cal.).  

[13] If I Were a Senator, I’d Ask Kagan . . . , Law360, May 10, 2010.

[14] Mark Scarsi Comments on the Impact of the Elections on Intellectual Property Law and Policy, Milbank.com, Nov. 4, 2010, https://www.milbank.com/en/news/mark-scarsi-comments-on-the-impact-of-the-elections-on.html.  

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Eleni Roumel – Nominee to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims

As noted before, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (CFC) is facing a vacancy crisis.  One of the factors exacerbating the situation is the Trump Administration’s slow pace in nominations and their predilection for naming young attorneys with little background in the court’s specialized docket.  The nomination of Eleni Roumel follows that pattern.

Background

Eleni Maria Roumel was born in Washington D.C. in 1974.  She received a B.A. from Wake Forest University in 1996, and a joint J.D. and M.B.A. from Tulane in 2000.[1]  After graduation, Roumel joined Skadden Arps’ New York City Office.[2]

After two years at Skadden, Roumel completed a two-year clerkship for Judge William Pauley on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and then joined the New York office of Wilmer Hale.  In 2006, she moved to the Charleston, SC office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where she was a Partner.[3] 

In 2012, Roumel returned to D.C. to be Assistant General Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives, then under Republican control.[4]  In 2018, she left to join Vice President Mike Pence’s Office as Deputy Counsel.[5]

History of the Seat

Roumel has been nominated for a seat on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (CFC), an Article I court that hears monetary claims against the federal government.  Judges to the CFC are appointed for 15-year terms, and can be reappointed.  The seat Roumel was nominated for opened up on July 14, 2018, with the conclusion of the term of Judge Mary Ellen Coster Williams.

In November 2018, Roumel interviewed with the White House regarding a vacancy on the CFC.  She was preliminarily selected as a nominee in January 2019 and nominated on June 24, 2019.[6] 

Legal Experience

For the past year, Roumel has served as Deputy Counsel to Pence, providing legal advice to his office.  However, she has prior experience working for the U.S. House of Representatives and in private practice.

U.S. House of Representatives

From 2012 to 2018, Roumel was Assistant General Counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives.  In this role, Roumel was notably involved in the House’s lawsuit to prevent the Obama Administration from making payments to insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act.[7]  The case eventually ended in a settlement after a ruling in favor of the House’s position.[8]  She also represented Rep. Eric Cantor in seeking to block subpoenas in a terrorism financing case involving the Bank of China and the Israeli government.[9]

Private Practice

From 2004 to 2012, Roumel worked in private practice in New York City and Charleston, primarily working in intellectual property and commercial litigation.  For example, Roumel represented a candle manufacturer in a breach of contract action against grocery store chains Supervalu and New Albertson’s Inc.[10]  However, she also handled some pro bono cases during this time.  For example, she represented a state prisoner who had been seriously injured in a beating by a prison guard.[11]

Overall Assessment

In reviewing another CFC nominee, Richard Hertling, we said the following:

“Ultimately, the more interesting fact about Roumel is the fact that he was nominated for the CFC rather than the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  Given his intense legislative experience, the latter would seem like a better perch for such a legislative expert.”

The same analysis applies to Roumel, whose expertise does not, at immediate glance, suggest appointment to a court primarily known for handling government contract issues and vaccine injury claims.  Nonetheless, her experience and lawyerly ability is reflected through the high level positions she has enjoyed, and, while she is unlikely to attract much Democratic support, she will likely be confirmed in due course.

[1]  Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 115th Cong., Eleni M. Roumel: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] Id. at 2.

[3] Id.

[4] See id.

[5] See Statement of Speaker Paul Ryan, Apr. 5, 2018.

[6] See Roumel, supra n. 1 at 29-30.

[7] See Jonathan Turley, Federal Court to Hear Historic Challenge Over Separation of Powers, Res Ipsa Loquitor, May 27, 2015.

[8] See Mary Ellen McIntire, House, Administration Settle Lawsuit Over Health Law Payments, RollCall, May 16, 2018, https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/house-administration-settle-lawsuit-health-law-payments.  

[9] Yonah Jeremy Bob, Eric Cantor Fights Subpoena While Ex-Israeli Agent Pushes to Testify in Bank of China Terror Financing Case, Oct. 2, 2014.

[10] MVP Group Int’l, LLC v. Supervalu, Inc., 2:09-cv-2636 (D.S.C.).

[11] See Orange v. Fielding, 06-cv-2601 (D.S.C.).

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Judge Matthew McFarland – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

A longtime Ohio state court judge, Matthew McFarland has drawn the support of home-state senator Sherrod Brown despite his strongly conservative background.

Background

A native Ohioan, McFarland was born in Portsmouth in 1967.[1]  McFarland received a B.A. from Capital University in 1989 and his J.D. from Capital University Law School in 1992.[2]  Following his graduation, McFarland worked as an Associate with the Faulkner Law Office in Wheelersburg and as Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Portsmouth.

In 1994, McFarland became a state prosecutor, working first for the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office and then for the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as working for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as a Special Counsel and as a solo practitioner.[3]

From 1999 to 2004, McFarland worked as a Magistrate in the Scioto County Common Pleas Court.[4]  In 2004, he was elected as a Republican to the Fourth District Court of Appeals, where he still serves.

History of the Seat

McFarland has been nominated for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  This seat was vacated on June 30, 2017, when Judge Thomas Rose moved to senior status.  McFarland applied with a selection commission put together by Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican.[5]  McFarland interviewed with the Commission in late August of 2017, and was recommended to the White House by the senators in September.[6]  He was nominated in November 2018.  

Legal Experience

While McFarland started his career in civil practice, he primarily worked as a state prosecutor before he joined the bench.  By his own account, McFarland tried four cases to verdict as lead counsel and an additional five as co-counsel.  Interestingly, the three most significant cases that McFarland has tried, by his own account, all ended in “Not Guilty” verdicts on behalf of the defendants.[7]

Jurisprudence

Since 2004, McFarland has served as a judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeals in Ohio, which covers much of Southern Ohio.  In that capacity, McFarland sits on three judge panels in reviewing appeals from Ohio’s trial courts.

Among his more notable rulings, McFarland overruled a district court judge and held that parents had no obligation to pay for their adult children’s legal expenses, and thus finding that an adult could be found to be indigent even where their parents could pay their legal fees.[8]  In another case, McFarland dissented from a Fourth District decision overturning Bryan Martin’s conviction of robbery for lack of sufficient evidence.[9]

Political Activity

McFarland has a few donations of record, all to Ohio Republicans.[10]  In addition, McFarland has been a member of many conservative organizations, including the Federalist Society, the National Rifle Association, and the Scioto County Right to Life.[11]

Overall Assessment

Despite a fairly conservative jurisprudential record and a Republican background, McFarland has secured the support of Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.  As such, he remains favored to win confirmation before the full Senate.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 116th Cong., Matthew McFarland: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] Id. at 2.

[3] Id.

[4] Id.

[5] Id. at 49.

[6] See id.

[7] See State v. Barnett, Scioto County Common Pleas Court Case No. 93CR6, 1/11/93; State v. Blanton, Scioto County Common Pleas Court Case No. 93CR307, 10/4/93; State v. Cheatwood, Jr., Jackson County Common Pleas Court Case No. 92CR10.

[8] Ohio: Judges Rule Parents Don’t Have to Pay Adult Child’s Legal Fees, U.S. Official News, Sept. 10, 2013.

[9] See Amber Gillenwater, Bidwell Man Released Following Overturned Conviction, Gallipolis Daily Tribune, Apr. 5, 2012.

[11] See McFarland, supra n. 1 at 7-8.

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R. Austin Huffaker – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

The Middle District of Alabama was largely static over the last decade, with no new judges joining the court between 2005 and 2018.  Now, in the last year, all three of the court’s judgeships look set to be replaced, including by securities attorney Austin Huffaker.

Background

Robert Austin Huffaker was born in Montgomery, AL in 1973.  Huffaker graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 1996.[1]  Huffaker went on to the University of Alabama Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1999.

Upon graduation, Huffaker joined the Montgomery office of Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett P.A.  He is still with the firm today.  Additionally, Huffaker has been a Commissioner with the Alabama Securities Commission, which regulates securities in the state, since 2016.

History of the Seat

Huffaker has been nominated for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.  This seat opened on January 31, 2019, when Judge W. Keith Watkins moved to senior status.

For Huffaker’s part, he had been under consideration for a federal judgeship in the Obama Administration when he interviewed with Alabama Republican senators about replacing Judge Mark Fuller (the seat was filled earlier this year by Solicitor General Andrew Brasher).[2]  In January 2019, Huffaker interviewed with Alabama Senator Richard Shelby about the upcoming vacancy.[3]  He then interviewed with Democratic Sen. Doug Jones and with the White House, and was nominated in July 2019.

Legal Experience

Huffaker has spent his career as a business attorney at Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett P.A.  Over the course of his career, Huffaker has tried 16 cases in state and federal court, as well as 20 cases in private arbitrations.[4] 

Among the most significant areas that Huffaker has practiced in, he handled a series of legal malpractice cases, usually defending attorneys against claims raised by their clients.  For example Huffaker successfully found that plaintiffs’ claims against their attorneys for inadequate representation in mesothelioma actions were time-barred.[5]  In another notable case, Huffaker represented a mental health worker in proceedings relating to the alleged homicide of a patient under his care.[6]  Huffaker was able to secure a defense verdict against the allegations of wrongdoing.[7]

Overall Assessment

As a lawyer with a focus in business and commercial litigation, Huffaker has an opportunity to avoid the controversies that have entangled other Alabama nominees.  As such, Huffaker will likely be confirmed fairly comfortably.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 115th Cong., Robert Austin Huffaker: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] Id. at 27-28.

[3] Id. at 28.

[4] Id. at 14.

[5] Frazier v. Jackson et al., 563 F. App’x 435 (6th Cir. 2014).

[6] Verrett et al v. Alabama Dep’t of Mental Health, et al., Case No. 2:03-cv-012301-MEF-CSC.

[7] See id.

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Justin Walker – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

The 2018 confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh left its scars upon the nation, as acknowledged by the Justice’s supporters and detractors.  During the battle, one of Kavanaugh’s top surrogates in the media was a former clerk and law professor named Justin Walker.  Now, Walker has been tapped for the federal bench in Kentucky.  

Background

A native of the Bluegrass state, Justin Reed Walker was born in 1982 in Louisville.  He attended Duke University and Harvard Law School, getting his J.D. in 2009.[1]  After, Walker worked as a summer associate at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington D.C.  He was hired by the firm as an Associate upon graduation.[2]  Walker left the firm on hiatus to clerk for Justice Brett Kavanaugh (when he was on the D.C. Circuit) and then for Justice Anthony Kennedy.[3]

In 2013, Walker returned to Louisville to practice law on his own.  He left in 2019 to join Dinsmore & Scholl LLP as a Partner of Counsel.  Additionally, since 2015, Walker has been a Professor with the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.

History of the Seat

Walker has been nominated for a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.  This seat opened on June 9, 2019, when Judge Joseph McKinley moves to senior status.  In June 2018, Walker expressed his interest in a judgeship with Sen. McConnell.[4]  In March 2019, Walker began the vetting process with the White House and was nominated in June 2019.

Legal Experience

Unusually for a federal nominee, Walker’s limited litigation experience almost entirely consists of practicing on his own.  His stints at firms are limited to a short time as an Associate at Gibson Dunn (where he represented Philip Morris in a RICO action with the federal government)[5] and his current position at Dinsmore & Scholl LLP.

Most of his time as a solo practitioner, Walker was a full time law professor.  As such, by his own account, Walker has not tried a single case as primary counsel.[6]  Additionally, he has served as associate counsel in only a single criminal case.[7] 

Writings

As a law professor, Walker has been fairly vocal on legal and policy issues.  In fact, Walker was an active writer even as a college student, where he commented on national politics.

Kavanaugh Confirmation

During the campaign to confirm Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, Walker was one of his former boss’ most prominent surrogates on tv and in the media.  In some of his appearances, Walker argued that Kavanaugh would comply with judicial precedents such as Roe v. Wade.[8]  In others, Walker argued that Kavanaugh was a solid conservative whose vote on important issues was beyond question.[9]  Furthermore, after the allegations by Dr. Blasey Ford were released, Walker questioned the process around the disclosure of the allegations and the credibility of the allegations themselves.[10]

FBI Independence

In July 2018, Walker authored an article criticizing calls for independence in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), arguing that similar to the military, civilian control of the FBI was necessary to prevent civil liberties violations.[11]  In the article, Walker chronicles the history of civilian control of the military as well as abuses committed by the FBI, noting that the agency engaged in “illegal and warrantless wiretaps, buggings, burglaries, destruction of files, and harassment of political minorities, the gay community, and African Americans.”[12]  In conclusion Walker argues: “…the FBI Director should not think of himself as the Nation’s Protector; instead, he must think of himself as an agent of the President.”[13] 

Political Reporting

Notably, as a college student, Walker spent two months crossing the country trailing Democratic presidential candidates during the 2004 election and writing missives from his experiences.[14]  In his posts, Walker discusses the state of the race, the relative merits of the candidates he covers, and his views on their ultimate match-up against President Bush.  For example, in one post, Walker describes an incident in which Rep. Dennis Kucinich visited a homeless man sleeping in a garage.[15]  In another, he suggests that Howard Dean “sabotaged his own campaign with a loose temper and a glib mouth.”[16] 

Interestingly, some of his posts display a broader critique of the Democratic Party.  For example, in one post describing the liberal town of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Walker calls it “a haven for hippies who never grew upm”[17]  noting that “every person is unusual” in the town.[18]  At the same time, Walker criticizes the town for lacking “what liberals celebrate: tolerance, diversity, and change.”[19]

Similarly, in a 2002 article provocatively titled “Worthless Democrats”, Walker excoriates the party for not taking a position on the upcoming Iraq War, stating:

“[Democrats] are weak leaders who speak softly and carry a rubber stamp.  They neither agree with the president, nor oppose him.”[20]

Overall Assessment

Walker has accomplished much in his thirty-seven years.  Given his obvious intellect, youth, and conservative bona fides, there’s little doubt why Republicans are working to advance him onto the bench.  However, Walker faces a couple of obstacles to confirmation.

First, Walker has been nominated for a trial court position.  A federal trial court judge is primarily focused on case management, sentencing, and motions practice, all areas where Walker, by his own acknowledgement, has little experience.  Not only does Walker fall short of the American Bar Association’s recommendation of 12 years of practice, he has only tried a single case (and that too as associate counsel).  Furthermore, he has handled only one expert deposition and has primarily served as a full time professor.  As such, Walker’s legal ability, while impressive, seems ill equipped for a trial level position.

Second, Walker’s candidacy may relitigate some of the most contentious portions of the Kavanaugh confirmation.  With Kavanaugh insulated by lifetime tenure, his opponents may choose to question Walker on the bases of his defense of the nominee and his dismissal of Dr. Ford’s narrative.  

Ultimately, Walker is still favored for confirmation (he has, after all, Mitch McConnell in his corner).  But, one should not discount the chance that some Republicans may find voting for him a bridge too far.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 116th Cong., Justin Walker: Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] See id. at 2.

[3] Id.

[4] Id. at 49-50.

[5] See United States v. Philip Morris USA Inc., 561 U.S. 1025 (2010).

[6] See Walker, supra n. 1 at 32-33.

[7] Id. See also United States v. Todd, 3:17-cr-77 (W.D. Ky.).

[8] See, e.g., Fox News @ Night, July 17, 2018, Fox News Network.

[9] See Ryan Lovelace, Ex-Clerk to Kavanaugh: Potential Pick “Would Not Go Wobbly” on Conservatives, Nat’l Law Journal, June 29, 2018, https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2018/06/29/ex-clerk-to-kavanaugh-potential-pick-would-not-go-wobbly-on-conservatives/.  

[10] Evening Edit, Sept. 28, 2018.

[11] See Justin Walker, FBI Independence as a Threat to Civil Liberties: An Analogy to Civilian Control of the Military, 86 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 1012 (July 2018).

[12] See id. at 1041.

[13] Id. at 1070.

[15] Justin Walker, Compassion for a Homeless Man, Justin Walker’s Campaign Diary, Jan. 10, 2004, https://today.duke.edu/showcase/mmedia/features/campaigndiary/campaign_compassion.html.  

[16] Justin Walker, Who Sabotaged Howard Dean’s Campaign, Feb. 4, 2004, https://today.duke.edu/showcase/mmedia/features/campaigndiary/campaign_deancamp.html.  

[17] Justin Walker, Closed-Minded Liberals, Feb. 18, 2004, https://today.duke.edu/showcase/mmedia/features/campaigndiary/campaign_yellowsprings.html.  

[18] Id.

[19] Id.

[20] Justin Walker, Worthless Democrats, The Duke Chronicle, Sept. 26, 2002, https://issuu.com/dukechronicleprintarchives/docs/the_chronicle_2002-09-26_sm.  

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Charles Eskridge – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

A former Supreme Court clerk and a longtime judge picker in Texas, Charles Eskridge now has any opportunity to join the bench he selected many of the judges for.

Background

Eskridge was born in Cleveland, OH in 1963.  Eskridge graduated from Trinity University in 1985 and received a J.D. summa cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1990.[1]  After graduating, Eskridge clerked for Judge Charles Clark on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and then for Justice Byron White on the U.S. Supreme Court.[2]  After his Supreme Court clerkship, Eskridge spent three years as a Special Assistant to Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal Arbitrator Howard Holtzmann.[3] 

In 1994, Eskridge joined Susman Godfrey LLP in Houston as an Associate.[4]  He became a Partner in 1997.  In 2015, Eskridge moved to the Houston Office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP as a Partner, where he currently practices.

History of the Seat

Eskridge has been nominated to fill a vacancy opened by Judge Gray Hampton Miller’s move to senior status on December 9, 2018.  However, he actually applied and interviewed with the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC) created by Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz for a previous vacancy created by Judge Melinda Harmon’s move to senior status.[5]  However, upon determining that he could not commute to the judgeship based in Galveston, Eskridge chose not to pursue that nomination, which went to Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown.  Instead, Eskridge was shortlisted for the next Houston-based vacancy that would open.[6]  When Miller announced his move to senior status, Eskridge was recommended to the White House and was nominated on May 13, 2019.

Legal Experience

Eskridge’s career in private practice was primarily at the firm of Susman Godfrey LLP, where he worked closely with Steve Susman, a Democrat and fellow member of the FJEC.[7]  At the firm, Eskridge notably represented death row inmate Anthony Graves in seeking to get the prosecutor who convicted him, Charles J. Sebesta, disbarred for prosecutorial misconduct.[8]  Eskridge’s representation led to Sebesta’s disbarment for hiding evidence of Graves’ innocence.[9]  It also led to Eskridge’s receipt of awards from the Texas Defender Service and the Texas Fair Defense Project.  In another case, Eskridge also represented Caldera, Inc in an antitrust claim against Microsoft.[10]

Since 2015, Eskridge has been a Partner with Quinn Emanuel, where he represented Vantage Deepwater Company, a deepwater driller, in a contract dispute with Petrobras America, Inc. regarding the operation of deepwater drilling rigs.[11]

Political Activity

Eskridge has been very active in the Texas Republican Party for many years, including volunteering for the campaigns of Cornyn, Cruz, and former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.[12]  In addition, Eskridge was a prolific donor to Republicans, giving over $100,000 since 2000.[13]

Furthermore, Eskridge was a member of the FJEC set up by Cornyn and Cruz from 2013 to 2018, during which time the Committee processed and approved over fifteen nominations to Texas federal courts.

Overall Assessment

Going back to his Supreme Court clerkship, his extensive litigation experience, and his impressive academic record, Eskridge has strong qualifications for the federal bench.  As such, few would disagree that Eskridge possesses the base level of intellectual ability to be a federal judge.  Some may even argue that Eskridge is more qualified to serve on the Fifth Circuit than some of the other nominees the Administration has extended to that court.

Eskridge may draw some opposition based on his partisan record, as Eskridge has donated more money than almost every other judicial candidate put forward by the Trump Administration.  As such, some may argue that Eskridge is seeking to “purchase” a judicial seat.  However, such arguments ignore the fact that, even independent of his contributions, Eskridge is one of the most qualified nominees the Administration has put forward.  Furthermore, his legal record is not that of an ideologue, as he has worked closely with Texas Democrats and has litigated in favor of accountability for prosecutors who violate the rights of others.  As such, Eskridge should, notwithstanding his donation records, be considered a consensus nominee.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary, 116th Cong., Charles Eskridge, Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] Among Eskridge’s clerk class, five are already federal judges: Jeffrey Meyer (Blackmun); Jeffrey Sutton (Scalia); Daniel Collins (Scalia); Greg Katsas (Thomas); Greg Maggs (Thomas).

[3] Id. at 2.

[4] See id.

[5] Id. at 48.

[6] Id.

[7] PR Newswire, Steve Susman of Susman Godfrey L.L.P. Speaks to a Group of Local Attorneys About Restoring a Fully Functioning Judiciary (Sept. 12, 2012). 

[8] See Michael Graczyk, Texas Prosecutor of Death-Row Inmate Loses Law License, Associated Press, June 12, 2015.

[9] See id.

[10] Caldera, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp.,  87 F. Supp. 2d 124 (D. Utah 1999).

[11] In re Arbitration Between Vantage Deepwater Co. v. Petrobras America Inc., Case No. 01-15-0004-8503 (International Center for Dispute Resolution).

[12] Id. at 20.

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Justice Jeff Brown – Nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Being on a state supreme court is a pretty amazing job.  As the highest authority on state laws, you can essentially shape the jurisprudence of your state’s code.  That Justice Jeff Brown is giving that up for a federal trial court seat speaks to the prestige that comes with a lifetime tenure.

Background

Jeffrey Vincent Brown was born in Dallas on March 27, 1970.  Brown graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992 and received a J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center in 1995.  After graduating, Brown spent a year as a briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court before joining the Houston office of Baker Botts LLP.[1]

In 2001, the 30-year-old Brown was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the 55th District Court.[2]  Brown was elected to a full term in 2002 and again in 2006.[3]  In 2007, Perry promoted Brown to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals based in Houston, to which he won election to in 2008 and 2012.[4]

In 2013, Brown was appointed by Perry to serve out the unexpired term of Justice Nathan Hecht, who was elevated to be Chief Justice.  Brown was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018, and currently serves as a Supreme Court Justice.

History of the Seat

Brown has been nominated to fill a vacancy opened by Judge Melinda Harmon’s move to senior status on March 31, 2018.  In April 2018, Brown interviewed with the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC) created by Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.[5]  Brown then interviewed with the Senators and the White House before being nominated on March 11, 2019.

Legal Experience

Brown’s career in private practice was a relatively short five year stint at Baker Botts LLP (compared to his 18 year career as a judge).  At the firm, Brown worked a civil trial litigation docket, trying fourteen cases over his five years there.[6]  In particular, Brown represented defendants in a number of trials of personal injury matters, generally relating to automobile injury cases.[7]

Jurisprudence

Brown has been on the state bench since 2001, and on the Texas Supreme Court since 2013.  In the latter role, Brown sits on the highest civil court in the state of Texas and has an opportunity to weigh in on issues of Texas civil law.  

On the Texas Supreme Court, Brown established a conservative record.  For example, in a case involving same sex marriage in Texas, Brown sharply criticized a lawyer for a same sex couple for trying to “cynically manipulating” Texas law in an effort to get his clients a marriage license.[8]  In another case, Brown held for a unanimous Supreme Court that restrictive covenants in title deeds requiring homes to be used for a “residential purpose” could not restrict short-term rentals through AirB&B and similar sites.[9] 

Writings & Speeches

Outside of his judicial rulings, Brown has both spoken and written on the law.

Role of a Judge

In 2007, as a trial court judge, Brown authored an article comparing the judicial philosophies of Chief Justice Earl Warren, who focused on ensuring fundamental fairness and justice, and Justice John Marshall Harlan, who held a more limited and restrained view of a judge’s role.[10]  In the article, Brown endorses Harlan as the ideal judge, criticizing in particular Warren’s rulings in Miranda v. Arizona and in Reynolds v. Sims.[11]

Abortion Speech

In January 2016, Brown addressed the Northeast Tarrant County Tea Party regarding the issue of abortion rights in Texas.  Specifically, Brown addressed Texas H.B. 3994, which amended judicial bypass provisions for minor abortions in Texas.[12]  In his speech, he criticized Supreme Court rulings on abortion rights, specifically as they relate to judicial bypass provisions, noting:

“Now, you may be wondering where any of those words [relating to judicial bypasses] appear in the United States Constitution.  They don’t, but…the court at that time, and, to a large extent, still today, finds things in the Constitution that aren’t there.”[13]

He went on to criticize organizations such as Jane’s Due Process, which assist minors in obtaining judicial bypasses, for engaging in “forum shopping.”[14]

Political Activity

Brown has been active in the Texas Republican Party for many years, including volunteering for the campaigns of Cornyn, Abbott, and President George W. Bush.[15]  In addition, Brown was a Republican candidate for judge in each of his campaigns (Texas elects judges on a partisan ballot).

Overall Assessment

Brown has experience on all levels of the Texas court system and looks poised for confirmation to the federal bench.  Given his long tenure as a judge, few can question his legal ability or intelligence.  However, critics may argue that Brown’s criticism of Roe and its progeny, may lead to his disregarding of its dictates.  Given the current majority, it’s unlikely that such questions will block his confirmation.

[1] Sen. Comm. on the Judiciary 115th Cong., Jeffrey Vincent Brown, Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees 1.

[2] See id. at 27.

[3] See id.

[4] See id.

[5] Id. at 61.

[6] See id. at 51.

[7] See, e.g., Bonnie Allen v. Ed King and Charles King d/b/a Chuck’s Water Well Srv., No. 97-06-02278, 359th Dist. Ct., Montgomery Cnty., Tex. (tried Oct. 1998); Esteban Velasco v. Irene Stern d/b/a Stella Ranch, No. C95-14, Waller Cnty. Ct. of Law No. 1, Waller Cnty., Tex. (tried Oct. 1998); Eldrige Gee v. Galina Bencowitz, No. 95-CV-0447, 56th Dist. Ct., Galveston Cnty., Tex. (tried Jan. 1999). 

[8] See Chuck Lindell, Texas High Court Rejects Bid to Invalidate Early Gay Union, Austin American-Statesman, Apr. 16, 2016.

[9] See Emma Platoff, Texas Supreme Court Sides With Short-Term Renters, Likely Bolstering State’s Fight Against Austin Ordinance, Texas Tribune, May 25, 2018.

[10] Judge Jeff Brown, The Platonic Guardian and the Lawyer’s Judge: Contrasting the Judicial Philosophies of Earl Warren and John M. Harlan, 44 Hous. L. Rev. 253 (Summer 2007).

[11] Id. at 265-276.

[12] See Justice Brown on Recent Abortion Ruling, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsNPbzKcRB0, Jan. 12, 2016 (last visited July 26, 2019).

[13] Id.

[14] Id.

[15] Id. at 48-49.

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