January 2021 Bar Bulletin
By Hardeep Singh Rekhi
We have all been there. You arrive early for your hearing and as you look over your notes, you are half listening to the litigants that are currently presenting arguments to the judge. It’s a good practice to get a sense of how the judge runs his or her courtroom.
One day, I was listening to a defendant who seemed to be struggling with mental health issues, perhaps addiction as well, or a combination of the two. I witnessed a judge who was patient and listening: really listening — leaning forward in his chair. He was singularly focused on what the defendant...