Apropos to nothing, I wanted to share something I think we should all be proud of.
I was at arguments before a federal appeals court today, arguing in two of the cases. It is always a great reminder that below the Supreme Court, our federal court system is truly an excellent institution, unless they decide against me of course. Kidding.
The three judge panel listened to arguments on a wide array of issues, from criminal sentencing, the Booker case, due process, First Amendment commercial speech (the issue in one of my cases), ripeness (also an issue in one of mine), Younger abstention (ditto), 11th Amendment immunity, qualified immunity, Daubert standards for expert testimony, the standard for summary judgment (mine again) and interpretation of a local law in a run of the mill commercial dispute (run of the mill on the law, millions of dollars were at stake, also mine).
The preparation of the judges, their incisive questions, the give and take and intelligent discussion of the issues by the lawyers involved really made me feel good. For the most part, our federal judicial system is truly a place where honest due process is rendered. Justice is not always done. Errors sometimes occur. But I do not believe any of the parties could feel that they were not getting their day in court before intelligent, honest and fair judges.
When we consider all the things that are wrong with our government and our country, sometimes it is important to remember some of the things that are right.
To me, this is one of them. Made me feel good.