Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 06.02.17

* Let's get ready to rumble: the Trump administration seeks Supreme Court review -- and rescue -- of its travel ban. [New York Times] * In other federal judicial news, the Ninth Circuit, sitting en banc, held that courts cannot routinely shackle defendants during proceedings; Judge Alex Kozinski wrote the majority opinion, and former Kozinski clerk Judge Sandra Ikuta wrote the dissent. [How Appealing] * Judge Nicholas Garaufis (E.D.N.Y.) -- who isn't shy about telling lawyers how he really feels -- has a new bee in his Article III bonnet: "I’m sick and tired of lawyers from white-shoe law firms marching into my courtroom and getting a deferred-prosecution agreement for their clients." [ABA Journal] * Why did President Donald Trump hire Marc Kasowitz to represent him in the Russia inquiry -- and could DJT already be second-guessing that decision? [Weekly Standard] * Speaking of the Russia probe, Robert Mueller is getting some high-powered help: outgoing Justice Department official Andrew Weissmann joins his former boss's team. [Law360] * Interesting new data from our friends at NALP: the $180K starting salary might not be as widespread as you think. [Law.com] * President Trump plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate deal -- but withdrawal can't be finalized until near the end of his term because of the accord’s legal structure and language. [Washington Post]

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 05.19.17

* Remember when Judge Nicholas Garaufis (E.D.N.Y.) flipped out at Kirkland & Ellis for not sending a partner to cover a status hearing? It seems K&E and its client Facebook's groveling won over the judge: cases dismissed. [ABA Journal] * A big settlement in the Takata air bags litigation -- and presumably big legal fees for some of the firms involved. [National Law Journal] * Congratulations to Judge Amul Thapar (E.D. Ky.) on clearing the Senate Judiciary Committee; he should hopefully be on the Sixth Circuit soon. [Washington Times] * Congratulations to Rachel Brand on her confirmation as associate attorney general -- although it's unfortunate that more Democrats didn't cross the aisle to support her. [Law360] * And be careful what you wish for, Democrats: now that we have Robert Mueller as special counsel, congressional inquiries into Trump/Russia-related matters could stall. [Washington Post] * Speaking of Russia probes, should President Donald Trump hire outside counsel to represent him? да, да. [New York Times] * A closer look at prominent lawyer John K. Bush, nominated by President Trump to the Sixth Circuit. [Vetting Room via How Appealing] * Does size matter? Yes -- at least in this murder case where the defendant is invoking a "big penis" defense. [New York Post]