Federal Judge Lands at Center Of a New York Legal Mystery (Judge Jack Weinstein: "I'm lucky.")

NY Sun ^ | December 3, 2007 | JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN

[neverdem]

The docket of Judge Jack Weinstein in Brooklyn has long been a magnet for big lawsuits with billions of dollars at stake. In case after case involving guns, cigarettes, Agent Orange, breast implants, typing keyboards, asbestos, and pharmaceuticals, manufacturers have defended their products before the now 86-year-old federal judge.

Around the courthouse, Judge Weinstein is best known for his unpretentious courtroom manner — he rarely wears a robe and addresses convicted murderers with the same courtesy he extends toward partners at major law firms. Across the country, the judge is known for having "a big strike zone" for plaintiffs, according to an expert in mass torts, David Herr, a Minneapolis attorney. Judge Weinstein's willingness to shepherd class actions built on novel legal theories...

--snip--

Asked how so many major cases ended up on his docket, Judge Weinstein said in an interview, "I'm lucky."

--snip--

Another judge, faced with deciding a motion to reassign one of Judge Weinstein's tobacco cases, in 1999 wrote that "the inference that plaintiffs have 'judge-shopped' in this case is neither overwhelming nor inescapable." The judge, Charles Sifton, said many of the tobacco suits being filed as "related" did indeed rely on the same evidence — such as records of meetings between tobacco executives — as other cases Judge Weinstein had before him. There are signs that other judges are concerned that plaintiffs have steered cases towards Judge Weinstein. At a 2004 memorial service for Judge Jacob Mishler, one former colleague, Judge George Pratt, had some unusual praise for the deceased. With Mishler, there were "no manipulations of the related-case rule," he said.

Judge Pratt, who is retired from the bench and in private practice, declined to talk about his comments. Two people present said those remarks can only be interpreted as a swipe at Judge Weinstein.

[Gay State Conservative]

Let’s see now.....appointed by Clinton?......by Carter?.....by LBJ?

[donna]

The Judicial Branch is corrupt. And guess what: A female majority is coming!

Things are going to get worse.

[ApplegateRanch]

At 86 years old, it could even (barely LOL) be Truman!

[AuH2ORepublican]

I just looked it up: Judge Weinstein was appointed by LBJ in 1967. I was going to guess FDR . . . : )

[SmithL]

Weinstein, Jack Bertrand

Born 1921 in Wichita, KS

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Nominated by Lyndon B. Johnson on January 16, 1967, to a seat vacated by Leo R. Rayfiel; Confirmed by the Senate on April 14, 1967, and received commission on April 15, 1967. Served as chief judge, 1980-1988. Assumed senior status on March 1, 1993.

Education:
Brooklyn College, B.A., 1943

Columbia Law School, LL.B., 1948

Professional Career:
U.S. Navy Lieutenant, 1943-1946
Lecturer, Columbia University, 1948-1949
Law clerk, Hon. Stanley Fuld, New York State Court of Appeals, 1949-1950
Private practice, New York City, 1950-1952
Faculty, Columbia University Law School, 1952-1967
Professor of law, 1956-1967
Adjunct professor, 1967-1998
County attorney, Nassau County, New York, 1955-1957
Adjunct professor, Brooklyn Law School, 1987-present

[freekitty]

Luck, my you know what? LOL

Could it be a bought and paid for judge?????

[Jim Verdolini]

Weinstein is a famous anti-gun judge who used to make up gun law until semi reined in.

[iThinkBig]

“The Judicial Branch is corrupt. And guess what: A female majority is coming!”

Yeah, us guys just loved what the State of NH did with the female Marital Masters (sic). Suicides on the steps of the State courthouse, all males of course.