judge

Published on: January 21, 2019

When The Insurance Company Tries To Buy Justice

From “good hands” to “good neighbor,” major insurance companies market themselves as caring for the consumer. Do they? We’ve all seen the countless advertisements. Do you really believe the insurance company has your interest at heart?

What happens when you are hurt and really need the insurance? Insurance companies work hard to avoid paying the true value of claims involving injuries. In car wreck claims, savvy adjusters immediately start looking for ways to deny or dispute valid claims. What are some immediate actions designed to reduce or deny your injury claim? Adjusters start by recording you on the telephone. We have even seen adjusters try to obtain damaging recordings from people who are on pain medications immediately after an accident. Adjusters start by sending you forms to sign — which the company can use to dig through your history and records. Adjusters promise to pay your medical bills, encouraging you to send them. Yet, that’s not how it really works.

Adjusters have huge advantages over you. They know the system. They know how it works. On the other hand, you are probably unfamiliar with the system. You are relying on fairness and honesty to get through a stressful process. While a car accident upends your life, it’s just a normal day for the insurance company.

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Published on: December 18, 2017

Is It Amateur Hour For Federal Judicial Nominees?

By Jeff Blackwell

What do we need in trial judges? Honesty. Integrity. Fairness. Respect for both the law and the citizens standing before them. Legal Scholarship. Those are all necessary to make a good trial judge. What else is important? Courtroom experience. At least, a basic level of courtroom experience is necessary. At least, tell us you have been in a courtroom!

I handle personal injury and damage cases across northern Alabama. We are fortunate in our local state courts. We currently have a good bench of state judges who came to their positions with an understanding of the process. Most of them came to the bench after serving as lawyers before their local courts.

I can say the same for the men and women I’ve appeared before in Federal Court. They have been well-qualified. And, they take their roles as judges very seriously. As citizens, we count on them to be fair and skilled in their work. They understand their position and work hard to fulfill it. That is true whether these judges were appointed by a past Republican President or past Democrat President. Like our state court judges, most of them came to the bench after working as lawyers in their respective Federal Districts.

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Published on: November 4, 2013

Dealing With The Difficult Judge In Trial

By Jeff Blackwell

In a recent interview, Federal District Court Judge James Holderman provides a good perspective on dealing with difficult judges in trial. Judge Holderman’s experience includes many years of trial work as a private attorney prior to his appointment as a Federal Judge.

Let me start by saying the truly difficult judge has been a rare experience in my practice. Most judges at the jury trial and appellate levels where I practice are dedicated to reaching a fair and just decision. However, as Judge Holderman notes:

Judges are people and subject to the same prejudices, pressures, human problems, flaws, and frailties, which we all have.

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