I made an old friend happy today...

[lspencer534]

Yesterday a client persuaded me to represent him in Small Claims Court (under $3500). The Judge was a man who I hadn't seen in >20 years. After the trial, I talked with him and invited him to come and fish in my pond.

A little background: The Judge started out as a Courtroom Deputy Sheriff, then decided to run for Judge. Back then, we happened to be talking and I mentioned that I had caught some decent fish in the pond on my place. The "pond" is nothing more than a glorified mud hole, less than 1/4 acres but full of bass and bream. He practically begged to come out and fish in it, and of course I told him to come out.

He got busy with his Judge duties and finally stopped coming. Well, he came out about 4:00 this afternoon, armed to the teeth with fishing gear. In about an hour, he came back up to the house. I figured he had had no luck. Instead he had 5 large mouth bass in a 5 gallon bucket. None were over 2 lbs., but still enough for nice filets. He was grinning from ear to ear.

"Your fish are fighters!", he said. "I can't wait to come back, if that's okay with you." Of course it's okay with me. It reminded me of the good old days when we were younger...him acting like a kid who just experienced the thrill of catching some fish. I still feel the same way when I fish.

[Bill]

Potential conflict of interest? What's the cash value of the fishing trip worth? I would imagine this issue comes up fairly often, especially in smaller venues, where "everybody knows everybody."

Don't judges have to recuse themselves if they have a personal relationship with one of the parties appearing before them, or their lawyers? I guess if the town is small enough, that really wouldn't be practical.

[DAB]

very cool.

only one who might have to recuse is spence, but if all parties know of prior engagements, and are ok with it, life moves on. if not, spence gets to sit one out and let Annie handle it. before she's had her G&T.

[Bill]

I understand that Annie bills out in "Little Frisky" billable boxes.

[boracayjohnny]

Hey, that's a good time you were able to give someone. You gonna fish with him next time?

[DAB]

So....

If he got 5 fish, does that mean he gave you 2 (40%)???

:hide:

[Bill]

Hey, that's a good time you were able to give someone. You gonna fish with him next time?

Sounds like Spence relived the thrill of fishing vicariously through his friend. I agree, next time, they should fish together.

As they say, a bad day fishing beats a good day working. It's good, wholesome fellowship.

[lspencer534]

Potential conflict of interest? What's the cash value of the fishing trip worth? I would imagine this issue comes up fairly often, especially in smaller venues, where "everybody knows everybody."

Don't judges have to recuse themselves if they have a personal relationship with one of the parties appearing before them, or their lawyers? I guess if the town is small enough, that really wouldn't be practical.

No conflict of interest. Just becauses a Judge and a lawyer are hunting and/or fishing buddies requires no recusal of either. Lawyers here know that any "personal" relationship with the Judge doesn't mean diddly-shit in the Courtroom. They take their jobs seriously.

Read my post carefully: I did not offer to let the Judge come out to fish until the case was over with. I would have made the same off had I lost the case.

[lspencer534]

Hey, that's a good time you were able to give someone. You gonna fish with him next time?

No, I get the feeling that he enjoys the time alone. We had a 20 minute conversation before he started fishing to catch up on some old times. He's just a nice man who loves to fish. BTW, a couple of times in Court yesterday he chastised me pretty good for being hard on a witness. It's just business, though.

[Bill]

No conflict of interest. Just becauses a Judge and a lawyer are hunting and/or fishing buddies requires no recusal of either. Lawyers here know that any "personal" relationship with the Judge doesn't mean diddly-shit in the Courtroom. They take their jobs seriously.

Read my post carefully: I did not offer to let the Judge come out to fish until the case was over with. I would have made the same off had I lost the case.

I didn't mean to imply any malfeasance on your part. Any friend of Annie is above reproach with the VB.

As a side note, I think it's great that a bailiff ran for and got elected as a judge. The one time I was in small claims court (as a pro se plaintiff), our judge was NOT a lawyer.

It worked out well for me. The guy I was suing (former employer) said I didn't sell a contract with xyz company. I told the judge, if I didn't sell the contract (if there was no order), then why did the defense lawyer feel the need to file a motion to quash the copy of the contract I had. He chose to look at the contract and awarded me my commission. Of course, I had to file a writ of execution to actually get paid, but that wasn't the judges' fault.

[OddBall]

Isn't that the pond you hide the dead Barbie's in?

[Bill]

Isn't that the pond you hide the dead Barbie's in?

Bodies just don't bury themselves.

[Torqaholic]

I haven't been fishing in 30 years. Only 2 more and I'll be doing so more than a human should be allowed :D Bass fishing is the best.

[Blademaker]

Very cool. :seasix:

Can I fish in your pond?

[lspencer534]

Isn't that the pond you hide the dead Barbie's in?

I'm not saying iffin' I do or iffin' I don't, but a pair on concrete shoes keeps anything on the bottom... I got that from Heloise's Hints....

[lspencer534]

Very cool. :seasix:

Can I fish in your pond?

You are certianly invited! That little pond has more fish per square foot than a catfish farm. Well...that's an exaggeration, but it seems like it. I've never come back empty-handed from the pond.

[lspencer534]

I didn't mean to imply any malfeasance on your part. Any friend of Annie is above reproach with the VB.

As a side note, I think it's great that a bailiff ran for and got elected as a judge. The one time I was in small claims court (as a pro se plaintiff), our judge was NOT a lawyer.

It worked out well for me. The guy I was suing (former employer) said I didn't sell a contract with xyz company. I told the judge, if I didn't sell the contract (if there was no order), then why did the defense lawyer feel the need to file a motion to quash the copy of the contract I had. He chose to look at the contract and awarded me my commission. Of course, I had to file a writ of execution to actually get paid, but that wasn't the judges' fault.

No offense taken. I was just answering your query. :seasix: :cert:

[Kerrmudgeon]

Did you stock the pond Larry? Any pics of said pond? Did you have a fish fry with the judge? IMWTW.:D

[lspencer534]

Did you stock the pond Larry? Any pics of said pond? Did you have a fish fry with the judge? IMWTW.:D

Pond was here when I bought the place, and I've never stocked it or fed the fish. They seem to be doing quite good on their own. No fish fry. I think the Judge is a fairly private person; he said he was going to cook the fish for himself and his wife tonight.

[boracayjohnny]

No, I get the feeling that he enjoys the time alone. We had a 20 minute conversation before he started fishing to catch up on some old times. He's just a nice man who loves to fish. BTW, a couple of times in Court yesterday he chastised me pretty good for being hard on a witness. It's just business, though.

(During court)Hey, don't badger the witness. (After court)Hey, I sure would like to drop my pole in yo fish hole. :D

[lspencer534]

(During court)Hey, don't badger the witness. (After court)Hey, I sure would like to drop my pole in yo fish hole. :D

:rofl: But true...:leaving:

[DAB]

If you're in a hurry, a 1/4 stick of dynamite should fill your bucket pretty fast.

So I've heard.

[JRD77VET]

If you're in a hurry, a 1/4 stick of dynamite should fill your bucket pretty fast.

So I've heard.

DuPont lures :lol: