In June, the EDCA district judges sent a letter to Congress warning that the district's heavy caseloads were soon to get much worse due to the expected retirement of one or more district judges. Six months later, we are that much closer to the predicted judicial crisis. Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr.'s last calendar is today, Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. is out for a few months on medical leave, and Chief Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill retires at the end of January. Although I've heard rumors of potential judicial nominees, there doesn't appear to be much movement toward increasing the number of EDCA judgeships and it is unlikely that we'll get any new judges to replace the retirees anytime soon. Expect heavier dockets and more case delays.
On my end, as the year ends, I'm hoping to catch up and start blogging more regularly again. Happy Holidays!