THE ROBING ROOM

Fortunately Judge Alba is retiring. He was an affirmative action appointment and knows it. He has been effective in dealing with scheduling by just being ornery and rude. He can get the job done. A litigant who didn't have identification and was 3 minutes late to a hearing had to suffer his wrath. I, for one, am glad that he is retiring and that perhaps among many capable attorneys Utah can finally get a magistrate that isn't just plain impatient, ornery or who thinks they are junior judges worthy of a federal appointment. Avoid Utah's federal magistrates at all practical costs for the benefit of your clients and your own sanity.