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October 25, 2018
Women?
When are we going to stop (a) celebrating and advancing women as having the same abilities as men but—and at the same time—(b) coddling and protecting them like hopeless retards and little girls?
Modern women have oceans more going on than men. Many (not all) are talented. But we treat our women like players in the Special Olympics. We insult professional women every day by presupposing they need a “hand up.” They don’t.
Posted by JD Hull at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2018
Sandra Day O’Connor
I unexpectedly met her in DC about week before her swearing in. Smart yes but she had this great EveryMom persona. She was at a daytime party given by a mother of a law school friend. I was told to come even though I was in Saturday sweats. Idea was to meet my friend’s mom. Had been working. About to go drinking. Met the friend’s mom first. Burst into a circle of well-dressed older men and women. Met Mrs. Reckling and then she said “Dan, meet my Arizona friend Sandy O’Connor.” Was surprised but neat to meet her.
Posted by JD Hull at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2018
My first jury trial.
I second-chaired my first jury trial and only insurance defense trial defending Burger King.
I was a 2nd year DC associate right off the Hill. A tall smart Houston professional black woman had slipped on a step and (allegedly) hurt her back in a BK facing the FBI building. She had diversity juridction so it went to DC district court before older WASPy judge (John Lewis Smith) who were were happy to draw. Plaintiff was also the first deponent I had ever examined—deposition lasted 6 hours (carrier hated me for that)—and she seemed smart but smallish, fragile and ailing when I took it.
The trial lasted 3 days. The judge hated her and black attorney (who was excellent) and loved me and my Pittsburgh-based partner like we were his Mayflower Bros. But the jury of course was mainly black. When she walked into the courtroom the first day she sashayed in healthy and shapely and about 6’2” in these 3” heels. (That’s how confident their side was. Great rack, too. Everyone male in the courtroom wanted to jump her....but I digress here.) She didn’t seem sick. She wasn’t poor. She seemed happy. But testified off this “victim’s” script that her life was ruined. Our cross examination was skillful and to most observers—including to a black paralegal we shipped in from Detroit just to sit there—devastating.
And she won. Not a lot. But she won.
Posted by JD Hull at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)