Just as Judge Kavanaugh spoke today at the Fifth Judicial Circuit, Judge Thomas also spoke at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. (Judges typically speak at the judicial conference of the circuit courts in which they serve.) As with Judge Kavanaugh’s remarks, the media was present, but coverage of Judge Thomas’ remarks focused more on matters of concern to political journalists (his remarks). (In this way, the report corroborates comments made by Sarah Isgur regarding the court coverage at the 11th Circuit’s luncheon today.)
For those who care about the law and the courts, perhaps the most interesting aspect of Justice Thomas’ remarks was his comments on “expedited dockets,” or what many call “shadow dockets.” Like Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Thomas expressed concern about the pressure on the courts caused by the increase in expedited applications. Justice Thomas said emergency applications seeking extraordinary relief, such as when a district court issues a national injunction, “shorten our process”, adding that “our current approach is not a thoroughgoing approach”.
Judge Thomas further noted that the number of such filings has increased as advocates have become more aggressive and smarter in pursuing such legal strategies, compressing court timelines and lower courts are issuing more state injunctions. Justice Thomas said the latter was an issue the court “must address”.
Judge Thomas also agreed with Judge Kavanaugh’s approval of the new oral argument procedures. The new format, which combines traditional open-ended questions with seniority-based questions, is “more thorough” and “more polite”, although it means the debate lasts longer.
In other tidbits that may have been overlooked in his remarks, Justice Thomas said the makeup of the Supreme Court after Justice Breyer’s confirmation — which has remained stable for more than a decade — is his “favorite court.” . That courthouse was like a family, Judge Thomas said. It “could be a dysfunctional family,” he said, but it was a family.Something like a leak Dobbs The draft opinion was “unthinkable” at the time.
Judge Thomas also praised Judge Sandra Day O’Connor, saying she deserves more credit than she gets, and reiterated his disapproval of a court where eight of the nine justices attended the same two elite law schools. Worried, this does not “reflect on the country”. He also explained why he strives to make his judicial opinions clear and understandable to non-lawyers. The meeting also noted that in four years Justice Thomas will become the longest-serving judge in the court’s history.
