Retired J.Smith to Judicate West & much more

Today's DJ has Retired appellate justice joins Judicate West's panel of neutrals -- Retired 5th District Court of Appeal Justice M. Bruce Smith has joined Judicate West as a mediator, arbitrator and private judge, bringing more than 40 years of legal experience and 25 years on the bench. During his decade on the appellate panel, Smith authored approximately 30 published opinions covering antitrust, employment, real estate, insurance bad faith and medical malpractice cases.

Friday's DJ had Retired judges form group to defend judiciary and educate public -- Retired California judges launched the Retired Judges Initiative to defend sitting judges from unfair criticism, promote judicial independence, and educate the public, unrestricted by canon rules limiting active judges.

And the DJ also has Robert Wood's Tax issues in cases settling on appeal -- While interest and punitive damages are usually taxable, how the verdict stands, what's appealed, and how the settlement is crafted can reduce or eliminate the tax burden.

Law.com has Americans Deeply Divided Politically in Their View of the Supreme Court, Poll Finds

• Gallup reported Thursday that 75% of Republicans approve of the job the justices are doing, compared to 11% percent of Democrats—a 64-point gap that is larger than a previous high recorded after the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling overturning constitutional abortion rights.
• The 75% Republican support for the justices is near its record 80% GOP approval reached shortly after the Supreme Court's Bush v. Gore decision in late 2000, Gallup reported.

US Judiciary's Recommendation to Shrink a Circuit Will Likely Be Ignored, Court Watchers Say -- According to a summary report of its March meeting, the Judicial Conference is suggesting that if a vacancy opens up on the Tenth Circuit, the president and Senate leave it unfilled. The conference cited consistently low per-judgeship caseloads in the circuit.

Law360 has Federal Courts Disclose New Cyberattacks On PACER System

The federal judiciary on Thursday disclosed there have been escalating cyberattacks on its case management system, putting sealed and sensitive case documents at risk, and that it is taking steps to strengthen its security.
And see: Cybersecurity Measures Strengthened in Light of Attacks on Judiciary’s Case Management System

And Law360 has Democracy Forward Launches Appellate Practice -- The Democracy Forward Foundation has formed an appellate practice on the heels of a hiring spree that has doubled the nonprofit's legal staff since November with former BigLaw and government attorneys, as some private firms have pulled back from taking on cases that challenge the current White House.