[drdirt333]

Really? A federal judge hires a lawyer? Unheard of. Ever.
Can only be for one purpose, Sullivan feels a need to be defended? That thought has me thrilled. Hot air from his bosses and public opinion breathing onhis neck thrills me.
IMHO. Payment to the lawyer by the tax payers wouldn’t sit well with the Appellant court,and successfully challenged.

[CaptainK]

How is this any different then filing an amicus brief, which the circuit court told him was not allowed?

[Dave W]

Judges hire people all the time. Just because they are a judge does not mean they are experts in some areas. Judges hire people for many business law cases to help them understand things.

The Supreme Court hires people for many cases. They are not experts in many things. They hire them as advisers and they often hire them to actually figure out technical issues. For example, I recall a border dispute between Maryland and Virginia about 10 or 20 years ago. The Supreme Court hired a team to figure it out and they made a recommendation and the Court went with the recommendation.