Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Hiemishe Mentch on the Bentch Judge Schmidt’s Acting Fine As Supreme Court Justice
Ask almost any experienced trial lawyer about Acting Kings Justice David Schmidt and they’ll tell you about how he helped them settle a difficult case, often a case which had lingered in their files for years because one of the parties was reluctant to reach an agreement. In just short of 10 years on the bench, Justice Schmidt – one of the city’s most productive jurists -- has settled, “moved” or “disposed of” almost 19,000 cases!
Not only is he recognized in court, but the former law secretary to then Civil Court judge – now Supreme Court Justice -- Gerard Rosenberg, is equally known outdoors because every day at lunchtime the burly, likeable justice strolls Court Street and environs with his traditional yarmulke topping a coatless outfit that does not include even a suit jacket! Just what you might expect from an attorney whose Civil Court campaign motto was “Elect a Mensch To the Bench!”
Every time we pointed out to a colleague that Justice Schmidt would seek re-election in this September’s primary the response was a collective “Are you kidding!?! He should be appointed for life!”
Justice Schmidt has been praised for his knowledge of the law, and his innate ability to size up a case as well as the competing attorneys and put a “real number” on a case.
Defendant and plaintiff attorneys agree. Typical is legendary defense counsel Mark Longo, who regards Justice Schmidt as ‘one of the most hard-working, sincere and competent jurists I have come across in my more than 27 years of practicing law. Court administrators apparently feel the same way,” he added, “because they have relied on him to preside in various civil parts where these attributes can best contribute to the efficient administration of justice.”
Attorney Longo cites Justice Schmidt’s “ability to bring parties together to resolve cases under difficult circumstances, for example where there is no (bodily injury) insurance. ” He adds that “parties who might otherwise be frustrated ... are compensated because of the ability of this judge” to forge a settlement under the most challenging circumstances.
Ask almost any experienced trial lawyer about Acting Kings Justice David Schmidt and they’ll tell you about how he helped them settle a difficult case, often a case which had lingered in their files for years because one of the parties was reluctant to reach an agreement. In just short of 10 years on the bench, Justice Schmidt – one of the city’s most productive jurists -- has settled, “moved” or “disposed of” almost 19,000 cases!
Not only is he recognized in court, but the former law secretary to then Civil Court judge – now Supreme Court Justice -- Gerard Rosenberg, is equally known outdoors because every day at lunchtime the burly, likeable justice strolls Court Street and environs with his traditional yarmulke topping a coatless outfit that does not include even a suit jacket! Just what you might expect from an attorney whose Civil Court campaign motto was “Elect a Mensch To the Bench!”
Every time we pointed out to a colleague that Justice Schmidt would seek re-election in this September’s primary the response was a collective “Are you kidding!?! He should be appointed for life!”
Justice Schmidt has been praised for his knowledge of the law, and his innate ability to size up a case as well as the competing attorneys and put a “real number” on a case.
Defendant and plaintiff attorneys agree. Typical is legendary defense counsel Mark Longo, who regards Justice Schmidt as ‘one of the most hard-working, sincere and competent jurists I have come across in my more than 27 years of practicing law. Court administrators apparently feel the same way,” he added, “because they have relied on him to preside in various civil parts where these attributes can best contribute to the efficient administration of justice.”
Attorney Longo cites Justice Schmidt’s “ability to bring parties together to resolve cases under difficult circumstances, for example where there is no (bodily injury) insurance. ” He adds that “parties who might otherwise be frustrated ... are compensated because of the ability of this judge” to forge a settlement under the most challenging circumstances.
Comments:
Post a Comment
