Hon. David B. Saxe Shares Tips for New Judges in New York Law Journal
Partner Hon. David B. Saxe (Ret.) recently published an article in New York Law Journal entitled “Tips for New Judges,” in which he reflected on the problems that new judges often face and offered some practical advice to help ease them into their judicial careers. His tips include:
- As a judge, you can’t make everyone happy. Instead, try to make the best ruling possible, making sure you can articulate a plausible reason for that ruling.
- You are a judge when you are on the bench, in chambers, at a party, driving a car or even when you are on Facebook. Conduct yourself with the appropriate dignity and reserve you would expect from a judge.
- Develop mentors among more senior colleagues.
- Be careful before you release your first written decision. It is not unusual for a reputation to be made or fractured by an initial writing.
- As you settle into your role as a judge, make sure you do the prep work necessary for the next day’s assignments. Ask lawyers to send you copies of their relevant case authorities. Begin to avoid taking rulings under advisements. Become comfortable making short, informed decisions on the record.
- Avoid “Robitis” – a condition that befalls a judge when they put on a robe, causing them to assume a self-important, arrogant attitude.
- Follow carefully what Socrates had to say: “Four things belong to a judge; to listen courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly and to decide impartially.”
Judge Saxe served as Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department for 19 years and is a member of the Governor's Judicial Screening Committee for the Appellate Division, First Department. He was elected to his first judgeship in the Civil Court of the City of New York over 40 years ago.
A PDF of the article is provided below and is available here for Law.com subscribers.
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