Stephen Hardwick
@nonfinality.com
Appellate public defender. Poll worker. Peace Corps Tunisia. Low-level zoning chair. Wolverine in Buckeye land. Cyclist. Personal views only. On the payroll of the rain garden interests.
he/him
LOTR/poll worker feeds
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
he/him
LOTR/poll worker feeds
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
A particularly floofy floof on a lazy Caturday
November 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
A particularly floofy floof on a lazy Caturday
TIL some #AppellateSky and legal writing trivia. In its announcements, the Ohio Supreme Court lists the justices according to which opinion they joined without regard to authorship. In its opinions, the court begins with the justice who authored the opinion.
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
![Screenshot of page one of an opinion. The list of justices is at the end.
SLIP OPINION No. 2025-OHIO-5010
U.S. ACUTE CARE SOLUTIONS, L.L.C., APPELLEE, v. DOCTORS COMPANY RISK
RETENTION GROUP INSURANCE COMPANY, APPELLANT.
[Until this opinion appears in the Ohio Official Reports advance sheets, it may be cited as U.S. Acute Care Solutions, L.L.C. v. Doctors Co. Risk Retention Group Ins. Co., "Slip Opinion" No. 2025-Ohio-5010.]
Civil law-Insurance-Arbitration agreements—The presumption of arbitrability
applies to a bad-faith insurance-handling claim when the arbitration agreement contains a broad clause and the underlying civil action could not be maintained without referring to the insurance policy or the relationship between the insurer and the insured Court of appeals judgment reversed.
(No. 2024-0450 —Submitted April 2, 2025—Decided November 6, 2025.)
Appeal from the Court of Appeals for Stark County, No. 2023 CA 00084, 2024-Ohio-605.
(All names following this are in small caps: HAWKINS, J., authored the opinion of the court, which KENNEDY, C.J., and
FISCHER, DEWINE, BRUNNER, DETERS, and SHANAHAN, JJ., joined.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:csutosnyppard6uedwwwegww/bafkreiasijuoe25zmoa22mvan35xemg5f3w2mhmkbp5shy7cg7422hvxb4@jpeg)
November 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
TIL some #AppellateSky and legal writing trivia. In its announcements, the Ohio Supreme Court lists the justices according to which opinion they joined without regard to authorship. In its opinions, the court begins with the justice who authored the opinion.
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf...
One thing I miss from WFH is having her jump up on my desk. (I’m home today on a doctor’s-orders sick day. I should be back to work tomorrow.)
November 12, 2025 at 6:56 PM
One thing I miss from WFH is having her jump up on my desk. (I’m home today on a doctor’s-orders sick day. I should be back to work tomorrow.)
Why has Mayor Ginther continued to win despite some serious problems?Ginther’s last opponent, a progressive, ran on a platform that included closing a summer splash pad used by kids from all over the city. Why? A wealthy person living downtown might also benefit.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
November 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Why has Mayor Ginther continued to win despite some serious problems?Ginther’s last opponent, a progressive, ran on a platform that included closing a summer splash pad used by kids from all over the city. Why? A wealthy person living downtown might also benefit.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
Here are three of the Columbus Dispatch’s Bluesky posts since yesterday. I wonder how much Starbucks and Chick Fil A are paying the Dispatch for each bite of the paper’s credibility.
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Here are three of the Columbus Dispatch’s Bluesky posts since yesterday. I wonder how much Starbucks and Chick Fil A are paying the Dispatch for each bite of the paper’s credibility.
Thanks. Is it normal for judges to genuinely praise specific parts of specific lawyers’ work?
In the US, praise like this is usually either given out as a matter of course (sometimes, kindly, for court-appointed counsel), or as a prelude to ruling against the praised lawyer’s client.
In the US, praise like this is usually either given out as a matter of course (sometimes, kindly, for court-appointed counsel), or as a prelude to ruling against the praised lawyer’s client.
![1. I repeat my thanks for the assistance of all counsel (and Janes Solicitors, also acting pro bono for Ms Buzzard Quashie) in this matter, but in particular Ms Elves. Not only has she been appearing pro bono, as has Mr Leonard KC, but her diligence and thoroughness in interrogating the 1,200 pages of audit logs has been instrumental in the factual developments identified in Section C of the judgment above.
Lord Justice Coulson:
2. I agree that this appeal should be allowed, for all the reasons set out by my Lord, Lord Justice Fraser. The significant contributions of Ms Elves and Mr Gold to this outcome were freely acknowledged by Mr Leonard KC, and I am only too happy to add my own commendation of their hard work and perseverance.
Lady Justice Asplin:
03. I too would allow the appeal on all six grounds, for the reasons set out by Lord Justice Fraser. I also add my thanks to counsel and note Ms Buzzard Quashie' perseverance and dignity in the face of the Northamptonshire police's failure to produce the video footage of her arrest some four years ago.
Note 1 By section 33(1) Crime and Courts Act 2013, although conduct that would have fallen into this class of conduct could still be contempt of court more generally [Back]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:csutosnyppard6uedwwwegww/bafkreiclck6llwmsgg4pxg3upbvyzzr4kztount6i3s2c3cybtet4ws4n4@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Thanks. Is it normal for judges to genuinely praise specific parts of specific lawyers’ work?
In the US, praise like this is usually either given out as a matter of course (sometimes, kindly, for court-appointed counsel), or as a prelude to ruling against the praised lawyer’s client.
In the US, praise like this is usually either given out as a matter of course (sometimes, kindly, for court-appointed counsel), or as a prelude to ruling against the praised lawyer’s client.
Floof on a quilt.
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
November 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Floof on a quilt.
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
For Caturday, she’s joined me while I rest recovering from a minor cold. (My partner made this quilt herself!)
No, contrary to what this Columbus Dispatch widget implies, Paul McCartney has not died. He’s just doing a concert in Ohio.
November 8, 2025 at 2:54 AM
No, contrary to what this Columbus Dispatch widget implies, Paul McCartney has not died. He’s just doing a concert in Ohio.
The Rs falsely claim this shows we need a to make every citizen prove their citizenship, but Rs also admit officials already can check the citizenship of all registered voters. Forcing people to prove citizenship is a waste of time & money. Rs want it only to create a barrier to citizens voting.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The Rs falsely claim this shows we need a to make every citizen prove their citizenship, but Rs also admit officials already can check the citizenship of all registered voters. Forcing people to prove citizenship is a waste of time & money. Rs want it only to create a barrier to citizens voting.
Good news—our public school district is stepping up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
November 6, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Good news—our public school district is stepping up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
Shamefully bad news—there’s a huge need for our public school district to step up to help alleviate the Trump-caused hunger.
Other bad news—why tf does this fall on already over-stretched school districts?
Columbus has a whacky city council system that allows people to run to “represent” a specific district, but they get elected in at-large races. Vogel got 63% of the vote in my district, but 49% city wide. So my district doesn’t really have a vote on city council.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Columbus has a whacky city council system that allows people to run to “represent” a specific district, but they get elected in at-large races. Vogel got 63% of the vote in my district, but 49% city wide. So my district doesn’t really have a vote on city council.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/p...
If you’re in or near Boston, there are only 12 shows remaining for this production of the Dybbuk.
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
November 5, 2025 at 7:25 PM
If you’re in or near Boston, there are only 12 shows remaining for this production of the Dybbuk.
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
Professional review: artsfuse.org/294307/theat...
Tickets: tickets.arlekinplayers.com/events/arlek...
Omega Force, Starfall by Joshua Dalzelle. The series now alternates w/ the story of the main character’s son, Terran Scout Fleet. I said “mindless” because the stories require little deep thought, which I like & which helps make them a fun escapist read—if you like this kind of story.
a.co/d/84eL3RP
a.co/d/84eL3RP
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Omega Force, Starfall by Joshua Dalzelle. The series now alternates w/ the story of the main character’s son, Terran Scout Fleet. I said “mindless” because the stories require little deep thought, which I like & which helps make them a fun escapist read—if you like this kind of story.
a.co/d/84eL3RP
a.co/d/84eL3RP
Final poll working stats, and I still don’t know why it said I climbed 17 flights of steps this morning.
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Final poll working stats, and I still don’t know why it said I climbed 17 flights of steps this morning.
I can’t show anything official, but these are my lunch-time poll-working stats. I walk around a lot because I manage the place and because I can’t stay still.
November 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I can’t show anything official, but these are my lunch-time poll-working stats. I walk around a lot because I manage the place and because I can’t stay still.
This beats the stupid Boston Logan sign I saw—an airport map with no “you are here.”
November 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This beats the stupid Boston Logan sign I saw—an airport map with no “you are here.”
It’s sad that this shul is no longer a shul, but this was the *perfect* setting for a century-old Yiddish play (in English except for a few songs).
November 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It’s sad that this shul is no longer a shul, but this was the *perfect* setting for a century-old Yiddish play (in English except for a few songs).
A real treat—watching a live performance of the Dybbuk in the old Vilna Shul in Boston. The “stage” ran the length of the sanctuary between 2 rows of pews and included 3 levels of scaffolding & 3 sets. The actors were often only a couple feet away. Awesome.
www.arlekinplayers.com
www.arlekinplayers.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A real treat—watching a live performance of the Dybbuk in the old Vilna Shul in Boston. The “stage” ran the length of the sanctuary between 2 rows of pews and included 3 levels of scaffolding & 3 sets. The actors were often only a couple feet away. Awesome.
www.arlekinplayers.com
www.arlekinplayers.com
It’s sad that this shul is no longer a shul, but this was the *perfect* setting for a century-old Yiddish play (in English except for a few songs).
November 2, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It’s sad that this shul is no longer a shul, but this was the *perfect* setting for a century-old Yiddish play (in English except for a few songs).
A real treat—watching a live performance of the Dybbuk in the old Vilna Shul in Boston. The “stage” ran the length of the sanctuary between 2 rows of pews and included 3 levels of scaffolding & 3 sets. The actors were often only a couple feet away. Awesome.
www.arlekinplayers.com
www.arlekinplayers.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A real treat—watching a live performance of the Dybbuk in the old Vilna Shul in Boston. The “stage” ran the length of the sanctuary between 2 rows of pews and included 3 levels of scaffolding & 3 sets. The actors were often only a couple feet away. Awesome.
www.arlekinplayers.com
www.arlekinplayers.com
I think the rule is that we’re no longer allowed to get under this quilt (which my partner made herself!).
October 31, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I think the rule is that we’re no longer allowed to get under this quilt (which my partner made herself!).
Happy 26 Hours from Caturday.
October 31, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Happy 26 Hours from Caturday.
McCrery Architects & Architect Jim McCrery should be, well, I don’t know what social/economic sanctions are feasible, but whatever they are, they should be imposed by every other architect & potential client. And the next administration should scrutinize the contract & claw back payment if possible.
October 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
McCrery Architects & Architect Jim McCrery should be, well, I don’t know what social/economic sanctions are feasible, but whatever they are, they should be imposed by every other architect & potential client. And the next administration should scrutinize the contract & claw back payment if possible.
It’s a cool, fall Caturday for this gentleman.
October 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
It’s a cool, fall Caturday for this gentleman.