As we previously mentioned, and as Lawrence Hurley of the Daily Journal reports here, Congress is considering a proposal that would raise federal judges' salaries by a significant margin. Here's what the new scale would look like (with current salaries indicated parenthetically):

District Court Judges: $247,800 (up from $165,200)
Court of Appeals Judges: $262,700 ($175,100)
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court: $304,500 ($203,000)
Chief Justice of the United States: $318,200 ($212,100)

This proposal would cost millions in taxpayer dollars. So we have a better solution to the problem of federal judicial pay, which Chief Justice John Roberts has dubbed a "constitutional crisis."

Here's our brilliant idea: Require all federal judges to marry rich!

Don't you just love couples in which one spouse is a judge, with all the power and prestige of judicial office, and the other spouse is rolling in dough? Off the top of our head, we can name a number of federal judges who have married well -- or at least wealthy. (Like Judge Kimba Wood, above right, with her well-heeled hubby, Frank Richardson.)

We list some judges who have married into money, and we invite additional examples from you, after the jump.

Congress Mulls Salary Raise for the Judiciary [Daily Journal via How Appealing Extra]

Earlier: Skaddenfreude: Chief Justice to $318,200?

Today is the first day for judicial clerkship interviews under the official Law Clerk Hiring Plan (which some judges follow, and some judges don't). We're going to celebrate the occasion with a judge-related poll.

Here at Above the Law, we love ourselves some Paris Hilton. She's beautiful, blonde, and rich. She's fabulous and glamorous. She's a gifted model, actress, singer, dancer, and businesswoman. (And yes, she's good at that, too.)

Here are some quotes from a recent New York Sun article about Paris that capture some of our feelings about her:

Says Camille Paglia: "She feels the Zeitgeist. She has that dancer's feel for the camera, for the observing eye, and she produces fantastic still pictures." Ashley Barrett, global PR director for Coty Prestige, has added, "She is very clever about giving the press what they want — provocative fashion, an ever-increasing list of projects, scandal. She gives great paparazzi."

Some people deride Paris Hilton as being "famous for nothing" or "famous for being famous." We disagree; but if this were true, it would only make Paris more fantastic. It would make the purest incarnation of fame possible: fame undiluted by the distracting presence of accomplishment.

And, as everyone knows, we also love ourselves some federal judges. So here's today's poll:

Who is the Paris Hilton of the federal judiciary?

Here are the contenders and what they share in common with Paris:

Judge Maryanne Trump Barry (Third Circuit): 'cause she's a filthy rich heiress (daughter of the late real estate magnate Fred Trump, and big sister of The Donald).

Judge Alex Kozinski (Ninth Circuit): 'cause he's a genius at self-promotion.

Judge Richard Posner (Seventh Circuit): 'cause he's a multitalented public intellectual.

Judge Shira Scheindlin (Southern District of new York): 'cause she's a Gotham-based biatch difficult woman.

Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw (Ninth Circuit): 'cause she's a blonde diva -- and HOTT!!!

HAPPY VOTING!!!

Update: Paris Hilton: When the Polls Will Close

Paris Hilton: She's With the Brand [New York Sun]

We've always had a great deal of affection for boozy chanteuse Liza Minnelli. Why? Check out this surprisingly eloquent squib from her Wikipedia bio:

Minnelli's work in Cabaret molded her popular image, from the black helmet of hair and extravagant eyelashes that have remained her visual trademark to the perception among many that she shares Sally Bowles's combination of fragility and toughness, her hunger for affection, and her heedless detachment from the ordinary.

This explains why Minnelli has such a large following among "friends of Judge Wardlaw."

Indeed, some people suspect that Liza's latest hubby, David Gest, might be among their number. And based on how ugly their divorce has gotten -- MEOW!!! -- it's not an unreasonable theory.

David Gest, the estranged husband of Liza Minnelli, asked a judge to set aside his prenuptial agreement with the star, the latest development in their lengthy divorce battle.

Gest's lawyers told State Supreme Court Judge Harold B. Beeler on Friday that Minnelli hid the fact that she was infected with herpes, was an alcoholic and prone to violence. Had Gest known, the lawyers argued, he never would have entered into the prenuptial agreement.

Minnelli's lawyer, Israel Rubin, refused to comment on specific allegations. "This whole thing is ridiculous," he said.

Minnelli claims that Gest is trying to "attack and embarrass her publicly" with these allegations. If so, it's not working. With each new revelation, the diva only grows in our esteem.

Gest Wants Minnelli Prenup Dismissed [Associated Press]