What to read & watch

"The sound of a flushing toilet on Wednesday’s telephonic arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court might go down as one of the most awkward moments for the federal judiciary in the virus era. But we’re only weeks into the new world of closed courts, social distancing and Zoom happy hours, so there’s still time."

• Law.com presents Flush With Embarrassment: Brief History of Awkward Moments at SCOTUS

• "Oral arguments in the judicial disciplinary case against California appellate Judge Jeffrey Johnson are set for today in San Francisco and will focus on sexual misconduct claims made against him, including that he groped and sexually harassed co-workers. The in-person hearing is closed to the public due to the pandemic, but it will be livestreamed. Johnson, who presides in Los Angeles, also faces a sexual harassment lawsuit filed in March by a judicial assistant." (Law.com's Morning Minute) [The link to the argument is here. The matter was submitted at 2:36 p.m. The prosecution seeks removal from office; the defense concedes some discipline is appropriate, but not removal.]

• In NY yesterday, the Appellate Division First Department held its first ever virtual oral arguments. For anyone interested in watching, a recorded video of the hearings can be viewed here. The Court will continue holding virtual oral arguments until further notice and will post future video recordings on the Court’s website: (http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/AD1).