THE ROBING ROOM

For a few years Magistrate Judge Shaffer demonstrated some hostilty to (primarily plaintiff's)counsel and parties (plaintiffs). He was also particularly belligerant towards non-corporate parties in settlement conferences. I have noticed a sea-change, however, in his demeanor in the last 18 months or so. He is now courteous and earnest in his dealings with all counsel and parties. He is smart, hard-working and I believe is now genuinely making effort to be fair, balanced and achieve justice in the cases before him.