Hillary/Barack -- Barack/Hillary

Yeah, I could live with that ticket. And maybe in no particular order. Well, no, I'd prefer Barack first. But anyway, good question Wolfie. I've been pondering the same thing as well but have always quickly dismissed the possibility.

The Master Debators

Okay, I couldn't resist. It sounded cute, albeit immature. Deal with it.



So I've already voted (Obama) and my opinion at this point is a bit moot, but I have to say, having purposefully avoided all other debates while instead allowing myself to be subjected to the bickering that has dominated the headlines recently, I have to say that both candidates are pushing issues in near identical fashions and right up my idealogical alley. It's making me feel better about voting for Hillary should she become the ultimate candidate.



I only hope that all of the undecided, Republicans, Independents, etc., are watching this. And I really hope those idiots who can not afford health care, yet still think Bush is the greatest thing since the introduction of the mullet, are paying attention to the policy push of "universal" healthcare. Isn't it a no brainer? Sure, raise my taxes. Just get me and my family a doctor when I need one. And by the way, those tax cuts that were celebrated with the waving of the Rebel flag and a Budweiser toast, well, those cuts weren't for you. Did you catch that part?



I'm going to enjoy the election from here to November. I'm going all out in support of whomever becomes the candidate. You know, for what it's worth.

The Firm Ford, Miller & Wainer Splits Offices, Puts One in Springfield

I just got an announcement in the mail that Ford, Miller & Wainer are relocating to two separate offices -- one at the beach, and one in "Historic Springfield." I'm not sure whether this constitutes news, per se, but it puts a law office in Springfield which I think the neighborhood is surprisingly lacking. Good luck to Mark and the rest of the firm.

Let's Just Call the Old Courthouse the New Courthouse and Save $500 Million Dollars

I wasn't living here when discussions of the new courthouse began and the vote for the project took place. But I'm here now, and, well, I have a stunning view of the old courthouse from my office, which will likely always be the Duval County Courthouse if I am to read between the lines of this article in the Daily Record. Does anyone else feel the weight of mayoral corruption and incompetence pressing down on this city and its legal community? For now we'll just have to continue admiring the brand new/newly renovated courthouses in Clay, Nassau and St. Johns County.

GOP incumbents dropping like flies

I always get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I read articles like the one in today's New York Times describing the ever dwindling field of GOP incumbents in the House seeking re-election. Now, that's not to say that the Dems are going to snatch up all of those seats, but as the article points out, it makes any chance of a GOP House majority a pipe dream.

Check out just a taste of the piece:

With only five Democratic seats opening so far, party strategists and independent analysts say the disparity in open seats — typically the most competitive House fights, as voters oust relatively few incumbents — makes it highly unlikely that Republicans could seize the seats necessary to regain the House. The current House has 199 Republicans and 232 Democrats, with four vacancies to be filled by special elections.

Fourth Circuit Judicial Races

Okay, I know judicial races aren't sexy. We don't get the love and flair like we get from the national candidates. Hell, judicial candidates aren't even allowed to get bogged down in the nuances and annoyances of those pesky political party labels. But what can I say, I'm taking a keen interest in the race this time. I finally have an opinion, for what it's worth. So I want to look at some of the candidates and see what we have to look forward to as the campaigns kick into high gear over the next several months.

I'm liking the idea of highlighting those striving for probably the most thankless job an attorney could possibly have (just ask some of the New York judges who haven't had a pay raise in almost six years and are quitting the bench because they've run out of savings and need to start supporting their families again).

But I digress. The first candidate of interest who comes to mind is Adrian Soud who is looking to move into Judge Charles Mitchell's seat. A. Soud has deep local and legal roots in Jacksonville (father = former judge, mother = ex-mayoral candidate and city counsel president, etc). My reason for focusing first on A. Soud is the concern I felt when I read in the Daily Record that he was running. I was, simply, confused.

Okay, Adrian is a great guy. Honest, nice, positive, and one of easier attorneys to be on the other side of the table from. My two cases with him were handled with ease and grace because there was no unnecessary motion practice like one might see in south Florida (or New York). So, as a person and attorney, I like him. But where's the experience? Not even ten years out and, what, judge?!?!?! But who am I? His campaign kickoff invite reads like a who's who of the plaintiff's bar. Yeah, the Farahs, the Harrells, the Pajcics, Hogan, you get the picture. Anyway, I don't think he's got much to worry about.

Another thing that bothered me, though, was when I saw his name on the list of new inductees to the Jacksonville Bar at the last luncheon. NEW INDUCTEE. What? But . . . Adrian . . . why . . . now? Oh, right. Probably not a bad idea to get with the local bar if you're going to run for the bench. Oh, Dawn Hudson's name was on the same list. No comment.

So Adrian Soud has thrown his hat into the ring. Check out his firm's website for a quick bio. www.soudlaw.com. I'll update info as necessary. Not sure there will be any competition for this seat, but it's not looking like it.

Colony Jax

An introduction, to document Jax, Springfield, the legal community, and other urban coolness. Oh, and I'm sure there will be some local and national politics thrown in there. Why not?