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It was infuriating to see people who took advantage of vaccine priority still refuse to work in person.

Maybe. But here in Ohio, teachers were near the front of the line for vaccines—& they still successfully pushed district leaders to keep schools remote—until Gov. DeWine heard & was justifiably furious. (This was a time when criminal defense lawyers like me were going into jails & prisons.)

I should have added that I hope the professor and his boyfriend enjoy it. Not everyone has to be annoyed by it just because it annoys me.

-Loved that movie. -Loved the first few times I saw it used to explain courtrooms practice. -Didn’t love the 5,824,323rd time I saw it used to explain courtroom practice.

One advantage of being an appellate public defender—it only took about 10-or-so years before I could say I’d won an appeal in all 12 Ohio appellate districts, the state Supreme Court, and the Sixth Circuit. I do remember being annoyed about getting that last appellate district.

Consider the *possibility* that one reason she hasn’t struck a deal with Trump is that criminal defense lawyers have told her, “That’s illegal and stupid, and we won’t help you do it.”

Understood. No apology needed. It’s hard to see what motivates others, especially here. And your replies gave me the chance to expand my thoughts a bit.

*Until this thread, of course. But criticism of one decision ≠ condemnation of his administration.

And also, FWIW, I think I’ve posted nothing but praise for Mamdani. I don’t always agree with him, but so what? He seems like he’s doing an overall awesome job as NYC mayor.

FWIW, I’m a career criminal defense lawyer, although I post only my personal opinions and only when not on the job.

I can see why he would say that. For all the reasons I’ve said, I think that’s a bogus reason. Mamdani isn’t “connected” to the clients of criminal defense lawyers he puts on the commissions like this. If he were, it would mean he couldn’t appoint any competent, experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Unless they want to exclude all competent, experienced criminal defense lawyers, Mamdani shouldn’t exclude them for doing their job, even for people who’ve done really bad things. If there’s evidence of inappropriately using connections or other unethical behavior, that’s different

My point isn’t that profs should be prosecuted for making a profit by writing books and articles. The rules are the rules, and they allow profit. It’s just that at least at a general level, the arrangement isn’t obviously and unquestionably a good thing, especially at public universities.

Maybe I’m biased by working in the public sector, but like a lot of government employees, if I used office space & equipment to write a book for personal profit—even after hours and off the clock, I’m not sure if I’d just be fired or also prosecuted. I think prosecuted, but I don’t want to find out.

He’s not “entitled” to the appointment. I’m just saying the reason given by Mamdani’s people is bogus.

If there’s some evidence that he used connections inappropriately or that he acted unethically, that would be different. But just saying he did legal work for a criminal defendant convicted of something horrible is bogus.

If Mamdani thinks this retired judge did something unethical, he should say so, but if you won’t allow any lawyer to serve if they have represented people who’ve done really bad things, that means you’ll get no competent, experienced criminal defense attorneys.

Not quite. Her non-discrimination policy is worse than DeWine’s because it specifically deletes protection for gender expression & identity, she uses the rhetoric of the right about trans girls, and she won’t even talk with people from the LGBTQ+ community—even the official state D caucus.

Vote Blue No Matter Who most definitely applies to the US Senate where having a D majority is crucial.

No. I don’t think he’ll be pro-trans. At best, he’ll be indifferent. But I can no longer just assume he’ll be worse because Acton seems actively hostile. I’ve got a few months to pay attention to both of them before deciding.