The Courtroom
Judges set the tone for a courtroom.
Judge Pearson wrote, “I try to run my
courtroom in a relaxed, but still serious and
attentive manner given the gravity of what
are, after all, often life-altering matters for
the people involved.” As he saw it, trust
and respect must be earned, “not imposed
in a ‘top down’ style, given the reality of today’s culture and society,” with litigants understanding “we are only ‘human, too.’”34
Judge Morris worked to remember, “It’s
not all about me.”35
Several judges firmly refused to conduct business in chambers. Judge O’Dea
insisted on settlement negotiations in
open court in the presence of the parties.36
Judge Kilburn took the same position. “My
judicial ‘style’ does not accommodate itself to business in chambers or ‘off the record’ dispositions. I firmly believe that the
courts belong to the people, not just the
Lawyers and Judges and that the business
of the Courts should pass the test of public scrutiny.”37
Failures and Doubts
The supporting statement may include
candid admissions of failure, doubt, and
discouragement. Sometimes these comments are designed as a defense against
possible witnesses who will testify against
retention before the legislative committee.
Judge Pearson, for instance, confessed,
“that I do not always live up