The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes in the legal profession over the last 10 months. Those receiving the most focus have been, for obvious reasons, things like remote proceedings
Continue Reading How Important Is Oral Argument In The Fourth Circuit?
As mentioned previously, several new judges are joining the Court of Appeals this month. Similar to the Supreme Court’s ceremony, the investiture ceremony for these new judges will
Continue Reading North Carolina Court of Appeals Investiture Ceremony: January 14th
Almost two years ago, 
I blogged about a relatively rare phenomenon: a published denial of a petition for rehearing. Back then, two recent Fourth Circuit cases had produced petitions for
Continue Reading Another Published Denial of Rehearing, Another 4th Circuit Case to the Supreme Court?
Last week I blogged about an en banc opinion from the Fourth Circuit for which authorship of the majority opinion was attributed to two judges. (See here) This week
Continue Reading The Two-Judge Appellate Panel
On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Judge Mark Davis to the Associate Justice seat recently vacated by now-Chief Justice Beasley. Soon-to-be Justice Davis has served on the North Carolina Court
Continue Reading Judge Mark Davis Elevated to the North Carolina Supreme Court
Note: much of the information below comes from The American Lawyer’s October 23 “Daily Dicta,” by Jenna Greene.
He started as a pro se plaintiff alleging First Amendment (and other)
Continue Reading Unpublished Fourth Circuit Per Curiam Opinion Involving Pro Se Litigant Rights Moving Towards the Supreme Court on the Backs of Legal Giants
Judge Bill Pittman and I will sit down for a fireside chat this Monday to muse about the private practice of law, with a view from the bench and from
Continue Reading Come Hear Judge Bill Pittman Hold Fireside Chat with Moldovan Judiciary–Oct 22
The President issued a thirteenth wave of federal judicial nominations on Thursday, including two new Fourth Circuit nominations: Marvin Quattlebaum and Jay Richardson, both from South Carolina.
The White House
Continue Reading Trump Nominates Two New Fourth Circuit Judges
Imagine that Judge Waldo has orally ruled against your client. A proposed written order has been submitted by the parties to the trial court. You are gearing up for an
Continue Reading Where’s (Judge) Waldo?–The Role of Substitute Judges under the Appellate Rules and Rules of Civil Procedure
On Tuesday, October 24, 2017, Chief Justice Mark Martin issued the following statement about Senate Bill 698, which seeks to amend the North Carolina Constitution to provide for two-year
Continue Reading Chief Justice Martin Addresses Senate Bill 698