Best and worst judges to clerk for Forum

[LBJ's Hair]

So, here's a FedSoc-sympathetic person's assessment of Justin Walker...

After having read a few opinions and articles of his, I don't necessarily disagree with him but like... he clearly didn't get the DC Circuit gig because he's the best writer/legal thinker of his generation.

There are like, literally dozens of sharper district court judges, academics, gov officials, SCOTUS advocates w/textualist-originalist-whatever priors who would have been better DC Circuit judges. Assume they picked him because he has the credentials, he's a reliable vote, and he knows McConnell. (I'm definitely not alone in this view.)

It's DC Circuit, so I mean, apply. But he seems like ...kind of a hack. Read something he's written, then read like, a Bibas article or opinion. Blech.

(I guess in fairness to Walker there are plenty of hack judges who are perfectly lovely to clerk for.)

His academic CV is really shockingly undistinguished for someone with his qualifications. He's 38, only has a couple of decent law review pubs, and has basically never been cited by anyone. And a lot of it's really political-hacky stuff (his two decent pubs are "The Kavanaugh Court and the Schechter-to-Chevron Spectrum: How the New Supreme Court Will Make the Administrative State More Democratically Accountable" and "FBI Independence as a Threat to Civil Liberties: An Analogy to Civilian Control of the Military"--and yes, the latter is exactly what you expect, a post hoc excuse for firing Comey). If he didn't know Mitch McConnell, he would quite possibly be on the path to tenure denial at Louisville Law. A very stark contrast to Bibas, or really any competent conservative legal academic.

Compare his to Aaron Nielson's. Or read The Kavanaugh Court and then read Neoclassical Administrative Law... like really, you picked this guy??

[mjb447]

Not a clerk but thinking about applying. This whole thread is interesting to me insofar as it reveals how much some clerks work in terms of hours. Are crazy hours normal? Are they generally tied to circuit clerkships or district clerkships in places like S.D.N.Y. or D. D.C.? I interned for two judges prior to 2L and all of the clerks worked a strict 9-5 with no weekends so this is all news to me.

It's likely unique to the S.D.N.Y., where each judge handles up to 300-400 cases and you can expect up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. Of course, business hours are 9:30 to 6:30. But those are business hours for biglaw too. Are you going to stop working at 6:30? lol

@ Wild Card: Have you clerked? Not asking you to out yourself, not asking what judge or court, just a simple yes or no.

From your posting history, seems like the answer is no. You post pretty often in these threads, and I think this information would be useful for others as they decide how much to credit your (often very confidently-expressed) views.

Also no response the last time this was asked. I think that's your answer.

Wildcard, mind answering this?

[Anonymous User]

It's not the docket. It's how the judge works his or her clerks and handles cases. I clerked for a DJ with an extraordinarily heavy docket and the job was 9-6. Even then, I could have left earlier on most days.

This. A busy docket can, of course, affect things, but it's mostly about the judge. Clerks to different judges in the same courthouse can have wildly different hours.

Some judges are early birds and want their clerks to show up at 7:00 a.m. Others do lots of rounds of edits on work. I've heard of one judge who had clerks pull every case cited in parties' briefs or the law clerk's draft opinion, make a binder of the printed cases, and highlight the cited portion in each case (that's time consuming!). Some judges have their clerks sit in every single hearing, sentencing, etc.: in a district with busy criminal dockets, that can be hours every day.

At the court of appeals level, some judges have their clerks draft supplemental memos to comment on pooled bench memos (or don't participate in the pool at all), but other judges usually have their clerks draft memos only on the cases assigned to that chambers.

[Anonymous User]

Can't disagree with any of this. FWIW, I've heard he's a nice person. But I couldn't see myself writing what he seems to want in controversial cases. It has nothing to do with my political leanings. I'm not a conservative, but I clerked for a conservative judge and had no issues writing conservative opinions. I just feel like that writing style doesn't represent the judiciary well. It would bother me. But I'm sure there are plenty of others happy to do it. And yes, you're right about McConnell being his ticket to where he is (not that there's something wrong with that).

It is definitely a tried and true path to the judiciary, but I can't help but feel like this was a bit of a misfire. Walker's not a district court judge, so he *has* to persuade colleagues to get anything done. And the D.C. Circuit seems to have gotten over its historic reluctance to go en banc for Judge Rao, and I suspect Judge Walker may face the same. By contrast, Judge Katsas has definitely been able to put together majorities without drawing an en banc, and he's far from liberal.

Judge Griffith was the conservatives' emissary to the liberal majority of the D.C. Circuit. To replace him with someone as partisan as Judge Walker is a big misstep for civility in the circuit.

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

Not a clerk but thinking about applying. This whole thread is interesting to me insofar as it reveals how much some clerks work in terms of hours. Are crazy hours normal? Are they generally tied to circuit clerkships or district clerkships in places like S.D.N.Y. or D. D.C.? I interned for two judges prior to 2L and all of the clerks worked a strict 9-5 with no weekends so this is all news to me.

It's likely unique to the S.D.N.Y., where each judge handles up to 300-400 cases and you can expect up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. Of course, business hours are 9:30 to 6:30. But those are business hours for biglaw too. Are you going to stop working at 6:30? lol

It may be true that SDNY judges tend to have longer hours, but again that has more to do with the judges than anything else. I suspect (though have no proof) that it has to do with many of them having been brought up in the toxic facetime culture of New York biglaw.

SDNY is *third* in cases per active judge in the *Second Circuit* (WDNY far outpaces it). Nationally, it doesn't even fall in the top ten. Nearly every district in the 9th and 11th circuits has far more cases per active judge (both filed and terminated). Stats: https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/ ... 0.2020.pdf

Yeah, I think people would be surprised at some of the really busy districts. E.D. Cal., for example, is probably the most overworked district in the country or at least in the top couple.

This is a good example of what others have said, that docket load isn't the best indicator of clerk workload. E.D. Cal. has a ridiculous amount of litigation but a lot of it is routine prisoner lit that can be filtered out by staff attorneys (the district contains most of California's state prisons and a large federal prisoner population too). That's not comparable to the type of complex civil caseload that an SDNY clerk will face.

[Anonymous User]

Not a clerk but thinking about applying. This whole thread is interesting to me insofar as it reveals how much some clerks work in terms of hours. Are crazy hours normal? Are they generally tied to circuit clerkships or district clerkships in places like S.D.N.Y. or D. D.C.? I interned for two judges prior to 2L and all of the clerks worked a strict 9-5 with no weekends so this is all news to me.

It's likely unique to the S.D.N.Y., where each judge handles up to 300-400 cases and you can expect up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. Of course, business hours are 9:30 to 6:30. But those are business hours for biglaw too. Are you going to stop working at 6:30? lol

It may be true that SDNY judges tend to have longer hours, but again that has more to do with the judges than anything else. I suspect (though have no proof) that it has to do with many of them having been brought up in the toxic facetime culture of New York biglaw.

SDNY is *third* in cases per active judge in the *Second Circuit* (WDNY far outpaces it). Nationally, it doesn't even fall in the top ten. Nearly every district in the 9th and 11th circuits has far more cases per active judge (both filed and terminated). Stats: https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/ ... 0.2020.pdf

Yeah, I think people would be surprised at some of the really busy districts. E.D. Cal., for example, is probably the most overworked district in the country or at least in the top couple.

This is a good example of what others have said, that docket load isn't the best indicator of clerk workload. E.D. Cal. has a ridiculous amount of litigation but a lot of it is routine prisoner lit that can be filtered out by staff attorneys (the district contains most of California's state prisons and a large federal prisoner population too). That's not comparable to the type of complex civil caseload that an SDNY clerk will face.

It's certainly a different type of docket, but ED Cal clerks for the most part work a ton.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, I think people would be surprised at some of the really busy districts. E.D. Cal., for example, is probably the most overworked district in the country or at least in the top couple.

This is a good example of what others have said, that docket load isn't the best indicator of clerk workload. E.D. Cal. has a ridiculous amount of litigation but a lot of it is routine prisoner lit that can be filtered out by staff attorneys (the district contains most of California's state prisons and a large federal prisoner population too). That's not comparable to the type of complex civil caseload that an SDNY clerk will face.

It's certainly a different type of docket, but ED Cal clerks for the most part work a ton.

Yeah, I am clerking in a different Cal. district and have heard that the ED Cal. clerks work a lot. They have quite a few vacant judge seats as well which contributes to the workload.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, I think people would be surprised at some of the really busy districts. E.D. Cal., for example, is probably the most overworked district in the country or at least in the top couple.

This is a good example of what others have said, that docket load isn't the best indicator of clerk workload. E.D. Cal. has a ridiculous amount of litigation but a lot of it is routine prisoner lit that can be filtered out by staff attorneys (the district contains most of California's state prisons and a large federal prisoner population too). That's not comparable to the type of complex civil caseload that an SDNY clerk will face.

It's certainly a different type of docket, but ED Cal clerks for the most part work a ton.

Yeah, I am clerking in a different Cal. district and have heard that the ED Cal. clerks work a lot. They have quite a few vacant judge seats as well which contributes to the workload.

How does ND Cal compare?

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, I think people would be surprised at some of the really busy districts. E.D. Cal., for example, is probably the most overworked district in the country or at least in the top couple.

This is a good example of what others have said, that docket load isn't the best indicator of clerk workload. E.D. Cal. has a ridiculous amount of litigation but a lot of it is routine prisoner lit that can be filtered out by staff attorneys (the district contains most of California's state prisons and a large federal prisoner population too). That's not comparable to the type of complex civil caseload that an SDNY clerk will face.

It's certainly a different type of docket, but ED Cal clerks for the most part work a ton.

Yeah, I am clerking in a different Cal. district and have heard that the ED Cal. clerks work a lot. They have quite a few vacant judge seats as well which contributes to the workload.

How does ND Cal compare?

I clerked in a CA district and know several who have clerked throughout the state. As with just about every district, it depends on the judge. Judge Alsup in ND Cal will work you harder than big law. Some senior judges have dockets less than half the size of active judges. Some judges handle their crim docket entirely and have clerks work on only civil matters. Overall, though, most clerkships are 9-5 jobs.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, I think people would be surprised at some of the really busy districts. E.D. Cal., for example, is probably the most overworked district in the country or at least in the top couple.

This is a good example of what others have said, that docket load isn't the best indicator of clerk workload. E.D. Cal. has a ridiculous amount of litigation but a lot of it is routine prisoner lit that can be filtered out by staff attorneys (the district contains most of California's state prisons and a large federal prisoner population too). That's not comparable to the type of complex civil caseload that an SDNY clerk will face.

It's certainly a different type of docket, but ED Cal clerks for the most part work a ton.

Yeah, I am clerking in a different Cal. district and have heard that the ED Cal. clerks work a lot. They have quite a few vacant judge seats as well which contributes to the workload.

For what it's worth, I clerked for a district judge on ED Cal between 5-10 years ago and I worked 9-6 most days with a long lunch. There were times it got busy (trials, unusually complicated SJ motions, etc.), but there were also times when the docket was slow or the judge was out and my workload was essentially zero. The magistrates handle virtually all of the prisoner cases (as well as social security appeals, other pro se cases, and discovery disputes), which takes a lot of work off the plates of the district judges.

[UnderDogClerk]

Anyone have any insight into W.D. Wash. or E.D. Wash. judges? Specifically Martinez, Lasnik, and Robart in W.D. Wash. and Rice, Peterson, or Mendoza in E.D. Wash.?

I externed in ED-WA. All three judges you referenced are great. I have the most contact with Peterson. She's a straight shooter and a great personality. Definitely would recommend applying to her.

[UnderDogClerk]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Miller hires liberals fwiw. I don't think any of his hires from my school have been FedSoc and at least two have been ACS. He also hires on-plan, unusually for a young, ambitious Trump judge. He's quite possibly one of the most moderate Trump judges along with Scudder, St. Eve, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Miller hires liberals fwiw. I don't think any of his hires from my school have been FedSoc and at least two have been ACS. He also hires on-plan, unusually for a young, ambitious Trump judge. He's quite possibly one of the most moderate Trump judges along with Scudder, St. Eve, etc.

Speaking of which here's a list of Trump COA appointees who I know have hired liberal students:

Bibas
Eid
Miller
Park
Scudder
St. Eve
Richardson
Stras
Thapar

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Miller hires liberals fwiw. I don't think any of his hires from my school have been FedSoc and at least two have been ACS. He also hires on-plan, unusually for a young, ambitious Trump judge. He's quite possibly one of the most moderate Trump judges along with Scudder, St. Eve, etc.

Speaking of which here's a list of Trump COA appointees who I know have hired liberal students:

Bibas
Eid
Miller
Park
Scudder
St. Eve
Richardson
Stras
Thapar

Add Readler to the list.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Miller hires liberals fwiw. I don't think any of his hires from my school have been FedSoc and at least two have been ACS. He also hires on-plan, unusually for a young, ambitious Trump judge. He's quite possibly one of the most moderate Trump judges along with Scudder, St. Eve, etc.

Speaking of which here's a list of Trump COA appointees who I know have hired liberal students:

Bibas
Eid
Miller
Park
Scudder
St. Eve
Richardson
Stras
Thapar

Add Readler to the list.

And Bennett.

[Anonymous User]

and Luck.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Most of Judge Gould's personal assistants are recent college grads who work for him before they start law school, which is why the turnover is high.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Miller hires liberals fwiw. I don't think any of his hires from my school have been FedSoc and at least two have been ACS. He also hires on-plan, unusually for a young, ambitious Trump judge. He's quite possibly one of the most moderate Trump judges along with Scudder, St. Eve, etc.

Speaking of which here's a list of Trump COA appointees who I know have hired liberal students:

Bibas
Eid
Miller
Park
Scudder
St. Eve
Richardson
Stras
Thapar

Add Readler to the list.

And Bennett.

And Hunsaker.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Judge Gould always seemed like a delightful person when I met him, and I have heard similar positive things about his collegiality from former clerks. Not traveling for any calendars would be a bummer, especially since Nakamura courthouse is a bit isolated from other chambers already. I have also heard rumors that he has high turnover in his personal assistants but never got insight into why.

I've yet to hear a single negative word about Miller -- either as a judge or from his time as an appellate partner at Perkins Coie -- and the word from a couple of his clerks I've talked to were along the lines of "best boss I've ever had." He seems pretty respected among his colleagues on the bench, if that LA Times story last year is any indication. If I were a current law student considering clerking for a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth, Miller or Bennett would be my top picks. Maybe Lee should be up there, but I haven't heard as much about him (though what I have heard is positive).

Graber's in the conversation for best writer on the circuit post-Kozinski -- along with Paez -- but I have heard it can be a demanding clerkship. A lot of great clerkships are, though.

Hunsaker's bench demeanor is similar to Miller's -- respectful, sharp, and a strong command of the record -- but no insight into her chambers environment otherwise.

Miller hires liberals fwiw. I don't think any of his hires from my school have been FedSoc and at least two have been ACS. He also hires on-plan, unusually for a young, ambitious Trump judge. He's quite possibly one of the most moderate Trump judges along with Scudder, St. Eve, etc.

Speaking of which here's a list of Trump COA appointees who I know have hired liberal students:

Bibas
Eid
Miller
Park
Scudder
St. Eve
Richardson
Stras
Thapar

Add Readler to the list.

And Bennett.

And Hunsaker.

And Bress.

[Anonymous User]

Non California 9th Circuit Judges

Any feedback on Ninth Circuit Judges in Washington and Oregon? I know Tallman is in Couer d'Alene now, but I've heard he maintains a really collegial chambers. Any word on Gould, Miller, Graber, or Hunsaker?

Anon because former CA9.

Miller is very well respected by his colleagues; he's intelligent, thoughtful, and generally seems like a nice guy. He's also one of the most moderate Republican-appointed active judges on CA9 (probably second only to Milan Smith) and is definitely not a political hack. I did hear some rumblings toward the beginning of his tenure that his clerks were working long hours, though that may have just been settling into the job.

Hunsaker is more conservative than Miller. She also seems quite smart, though she's taken somewhat idiosyncratic positions in a few cases. I haven't heard anything about her chambers environment, but she does seem to have somewhat of an edge on the bench during argument. Obviously that doesn't necessarily translate to how she is with her staff.

[Anonymous User]

On the ongoing "Trump appointee feeder battle" watch, Kovner and Willett fed a clerk to Kavanaugh that was announced today. I believe that Judge Kovner is the second Trump district court judge to feed after Judge Friederich. Consistent with speculation on here this summer.

[Anonymous User]

On the ongoing "Trump appointee feeder battle" watch, Kovner and Willett fed a clerk to Kavanaugh that was announced today. I believe that Judge Kovner is the second Trump district court judge to feed after Judge Friederich. Consistent with speculation on here this summer.

Kovner is such an impressive judge and person. Seems like it's just a matter of time (and a seat opening under a Republican president) until she's elevated to CA2.