THE ROBING ROOM

What a gem on the federal bench. Appeared before her on a financial fraud sentencing. She was prepared on all outstanding disputed guidelines issues and bravely ruled in the defense favor on a close grouping issue where the circuit -- has for the most part -- leaned the other way, though not directly in our case. But we had a discrete issue and she leaned our way. This was a big help because the optics of the case were not terrific for the defense. In the end, we received a modest downward variance due to defendant's age and perhaps less than stellar health. From a final range of 63-78, we received a 54-month sentence. Sentencing is, I have heard from many judges, the hardest part of a federal judge's duties and you could see the thoroughly considered thought -- and perhaps anguish -- as she wrestled through the sentencing factors. Although I asked for less time, in the end we were not displeased with the sentence. And the mark of a great judge is, perhaps, I don't think the government was displeased either. In conclusion, a very brave judge imposing a non-guideline sentence in what seems still to be a guideline jurisdiction. Overall, her intellect, temperament and every other quantifiable factor that I could measure, suggests that she be cloned and placed in every single federal district court in the country. Fair and just, what more can you ask?