What Is Behind The Biggest Federal Backlog In The Country?

The backlog really isn't the judge's fault.

gavel with American flagAccording to the latest report from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Judge Joseph Goodwin of the Southern District of West Virginia has the largest backlog of any federal judge, with 20,139 cases pending for over three years. What multidistrict litigation, which is largely responsible for the backlog, does Judge Goodwin oversee?

Hint: Judge Carl Barbier of the Eastern District of Louisiana has the second largest backlog. His heavy caseload largely stems from cases related to the BP oil spill.

See the answer on the next page.

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