drfine.bsky.social
@drfine.bsky.social
Dad, husband, appellate advocate, legal writing, oral advocacy, autism dad. Comments worth what you’re paying for them. Comments are mine, not my firm’s or its clients’.
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
One hundred sixty-two years ago today, President Lincoln stood up in Gettysburg—just 30 miles down the road from where I sit to write this—and gave a two-minute talk that the world will never forget. Yes, it was the only time a lawyer didn’t use all the time allotted to him. #FOLO
November 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM
One hundred sixty-two years ago today, President Lincoln stood up in Gettysburg—just 30 miles down the road from where I sit to write this—and gave a two-minute talk that the world will never forget. Yes, it was the only time a lawyer didn’t use all the time allotted to him. #FOLO
One hundred sixty-two years ago today, President Lincoln stood up in Gettysburg—just 30 miles down the road from where I sit to write this—and gave a two-minute talk that the world will never forget. Yes, it was the only time a lawyer didn’t use all the time allotted to him. #FOLO
November 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM
One hundred sixty-two years ago today, President Lincoln stood up in Gettysburg—just 30 miles down the road from where I sit to write this—and gave a two-minute talk that the world will never forget. Yes, it was the only time a lawyer didn’t use all the time allotted to him. #FOLO
I'm thinking today of the district judge for whom I clerked, the Honorable William W. Caldwell, on the centennial of his birth.
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I'm thinking today of the district judge for whom I clerked, the Honorable William W. Caldwell, on the centennial of his birth.
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
Adventures in Being K’s Dad. I’ve written here about my son, a young man with autism and his dad’s best pal. K and I went to a restaurant for lunch today. The server was pleasant, but he pretty much made no effort to acknowledge my boy. He directed all questions and eye contact to me. 1/
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Adventures in Being K’s Dad. I’ve written here about my son, a young man with autism and his dad’s best pal. K and I went to a restaurant for lunch today. The server was pleasant, but he pretty much made no effort to acknowledge my boy. He directed all questions and eye contact to me. 1/
Adventures in Being K’s Dad. I’ve written here about my son, a young man with autism and his dad’s best pal. K and I went to a restaurant for lunch today. The server was pleasant, but he pretty much made no effort to acknowledge my boy. He directed all questions and eye contact to me. 1/
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Adventures in Being K’s Dad. I’ve written here about my son, a young man with autism and his dad’s best pal. K and I went to a restaurant for lunch today. The server was pleasant, but he pretty much made no effort to acknowledge my boy. He directed all questions and eye contact to me. 1/
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
everyone’s rightly abuzz about the tariff args but for a true master class in oral advocacy listen to @seharrington.bsky.social argue for petr in Hain. An exhilarating & dynamic convo w the Justices on highly technical legal issues. Fun for all.
www.supremecourt.gov/oral_argumen...
www.supremecourt.gov/oral_argumen...
Oral Argument - Audio File
www.supremecourt.gov
November 5, 2025 at 11:24 PM
everyone’s rightly abuzz about the tariff args but for a true master class in oral advocacy listen to @seharrington.bsky.social argue for petr in Hain. An exhilarating & dynamic convo w the Justices on highly technical legal issues. Fun for all.
www.supremecourt.gov/oral_argumen...
www.supremecourt.gov/oral_argumen...
Do we appellate lawyers no longer stop talking when a justice asks a question?
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Do we appellate lawyers no longer stop talking when a justice asks a question?
I’ve written here about my son, a young man with autism and his dad’s best pal. K’s interest in Halloween generally focuses on the party that they have at his day program, but my wife likes to put together creative costumes. Enjoy (see below and comments).
October 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I’ve written here about my son, a young man with autism and his dad’s best pal. K’s interest in Halloween generally focuses on the party that they have at his day program, but my wife likes to put together creative costumes. Enjoy (see below and comments).
The 3d Circuit has issued a notice that federal agencies need not file paper copies with the court while the shutdown remains in place--but must do so within 14 days of the shutdown's end.
www.ca3.uscourts.gov/sites/ca3/fi...
www.ca3.uscourts.gov/sites/ca3/fi...
www.ca3.uscourts.gov
October 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The 3d Circuit has issued a notice that federal agencies need not file paper copies with the court while the shutdown remains in place--but must do so within 14 days of the shutdown's end.
www.ca3.uscourts.gov/sites/ca3/fi...
www.ca3.uscourts.gov/sites/ca3/fi...
In Philadelphia boarding a flight to Nashville. Flight attendant at door compliments the outfits of the two women ahead of me and the jacket of the woman behind. 1/
October 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
In Philadelphia boarding a flight to Nashville. Flight attendant at door compliments the outfits of the two women ahead of me and the jacket of the woman behind. 1/
Dismissed as improvidently granted.
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Dismissed as improvidently granted.
How do you start your typical workday?
For me, it's a 25-mile drive with my son to take him to his day program. (You'll recall that my son is an adult with autism and his dad's best buddy.) We listen to music, we find things to giggle at and we enjoy a little time just to ourselves. 1/
For me, it's a 25-mile drive with my son to take him to his day program. (You'll recall that my son is an adult with autism and his dad's best buddy.) We listen to music, we find things to giggle at and we enjoy a little time just to ourselves. 1/
October 8, 2025 at 6:26 PM
How do you start your typical workday?
For me, it's a 25-mile drive with my son to take him to his day program. (You'll recall that my son is an adult with autism and his dad's best buddy.) We listen to music, we find things to giggle at and we enjoy a little time just to ourselves. 1/
For me, it's a 25-mile drive with my son to take him to his day program. (You'll recall that my son is an adult with autism and his dad's best buddy.) We listen to music, we find things to giggle at and we enjoy a little time just to ourselves. 1/
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
Observation from watching video of a lot of oral arguments: if you're sitting at counsel table and you react in any negative way to what your opponent says at the lectern, it really stands out. You may think it's not noticeable, but you're mistaken. Be the Sphynx.
September 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Observation from watching video of a lot of oral arguments: if you're sitting at counsel table and you react in any negative way to what your opponent says at the lectern, it really stands out. You may think it's not noticeable, but you're mistaken. Be the Sphynx.
Observation from watching video of a lot of oral arguments: if you're sitting at counsel table and you react in any negative way to what your opponent says at the lectern, it really stands out. You may think it's not noticeable, but you're mistaken. Be the Sphynx.
September 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Observation from watching video of a lot of oral arguments: if you're sitting at counsel table and you react in any negative way to what your opponent says at the lectern, it really stands out. You may think it's not noticeable, but you're mistaken. Be the Sphynx.
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
A respectful request of legal journalists, whom I generally really appreciate. If you're writing about an appellate oral argument, please don't just tell us what the lawyers said. Tell us what the judges said and asked. 1/
September 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
A respectful request of legal journalists, whom I generally really appreciate. If you're writing about an appellate oral argument, please don't just tell us what the lawyers said. Tell us what the judges said and asked. 1/
A respectful request of legal journalists, whom I generally really appreciate. If you're writing about an appellate oral argument, please don't just tell us what the lawyers said. Tell us what the judges said and asked. 1/
September 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
A respectful request of legal journalists, whom I generally really appreciate. If you're writing about an appellate oral argument, please don't just tell us what the lawyers said. Tell us what the judges said and asked. 1/
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is now hearing oral arguments in Philadelphia. These livestreams are always worth a listen. www.youtube.com/live/VDbk5zR...
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September 10, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is now hearing oral arguments in Philadelphia. These livestreams are always worth a listen. www.youtube.com/live/VDbk5zR...
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
According to Wikipedia, 34 years ago, a descendent of Helen Palsgraf married a descendent of Benjamin Cardozo. Talk about unforeseeable.
September 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
According to Wikipedia, 34 years ago, a descendent of Helen Palsgraf married a descendent of Benjamin Cardozo. Talk about unforeseeable.
Engendered by a discussion on LinkedIn earlier this week... If you don't already practice in a place where this occurs, would you prefer it if courts would give a day's notice before announcing decisions, at least in appellate cases? #AppellateSky
September 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Engendered by a discussion on LinkedIn earlier this week... If you don't already practice in a place where this occurs, would you prefer it if courts would give a day's notice before announcing decisions, at least in appellate cases? #AppellateSky
Important issue of first impression decided in the Third Circuit today. The district judge lived down the street from the pro se civil-rights plaintiff when both were kids, the to-be judge's dog bit the to-be plaintiff and the to-be judge blamed the to-be plaintiff for provoking Cocco. 1/
September 4, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Important issue of first impression decided in the Third Circuit today. The district judge lived down the street from the pro se civil-rights plaintiff when both were kids, the to-be judge's dog bit the to-be plaintiff and the to-be judge blamed the to-be plaintiff for provoking Cocco. 1/
According to Wikipedia, 34 years ago, a descendent of Helen Palsgraf married a descendent of Benjamin Cardozo. Talk about unforeseeable.
September 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
According to Wikipedia, 34 years ago, a descendent of Helen Palsgraf married a descendent of Benjamin Cardozo. Talk about unforeseeable.
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
In a previous career, I was a TV reporter. I wisely got out before the advent of high definition, but I learned a few things. In those days, folks looking for jobs sent videotapes of their work. Now, I suspect they just post their work to websites and e-mail links to prospective employers. 1/
August 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
In a previous career, I was a TV reporter. I wisely got out before the advent of high definition, but I learned a few things. In those days, folks looking for jobs sent videotapes of their work. Now, I suspect they just post their work to websites and e-mail links to prospective employers. 1/
In a previous career, I was a TV reporter. I wisely got out before the advent of high definition, but I learned a few things. In those days, folks looking for jobs sent videotapes of their work. Now, I suspect they just post their work to websites and e-mail links to prospective employers. 1/
August 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
In a previous career, I was a TV reporter. I wisely got out before the advent of high definition, but I learned a few things. In those days, folks looking for jobs sent videotapes of their work. Now, I suspect they just post their work to websites and e-mail links to prospective employers. 1/
Oral argument in the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas in Montrose, PA.
August 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Oral argument in the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas in Montrose, PA.
Reposted by drfine.bsky.social
As one who writes for a living, dangling participles are concerning.
August 24, 2025 at 11:19 AM
As one who writes for a living, dangling participles are concerning.