After day one of interviews by the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, the Chief Judge asked that interns and law clarks not attend the Commission’s open interviews, reports The Southern District of Florida Blog.
The judge’s statement is below:
I have been informed that many law clerks, interns and other employees have been coming in and out of the Judges’ Conference Room in the Ferguson Courthouse where the Judicial Nominating Commission is conducting interviews. The Commission’ s interviews are open, while their deliberations are not. However the room with 21 Commissioners and the applicant is extremely crowded to the point of possibly violating fire marshal regulations. Chairs had to be added for the public.The constant movement of observers detracts from the seriousness of the task and is somewhat disruptive. Although the Commisiondesires for an open process, an admirable goal, the large number of employees in one building is yielding heavy traffic. I would ask all employees, including interns and law clerks, as a courtesy , to take this into consideration and not attend this afternoon for the remaining judicial interviews or tomorrow for the US Attorney interviews. In the Summer many judges have a large number of interns and their interest in the process is understandable. The media covers it and we can all read about it the next day. However the comfort of the Commissioners and those being interviewed is also important. I thank you for your consideration. FAM
