The romance between Texas bankruptcy judge David R. Jones and Biglaw partner Elizabeth Freeman has birthed some intense controversy that remains ongoing. See, Jones, the (now former) federal bankruptcy judge, somehow didn’t recuse himself from cases involving Freeman, the (now former) partner at Jackson Walker. As a result, Jones resigned and the Department of Justice sued Freeman’s former firm to try to disgorge up to $23 million in fees it collected in the 33 cases overseen by Jones while he was involved with Freeman and alleging the firm breached its ethical duties by not disclosing the relationship. Jackson Walker insists it acted properly upon learning of the relationship.
Now it looks like that case is headed to trial.
Jackson Walker and the US Trustee’s office were in mediation in an attempt to resolve the matter. Yesterday, July 15th at 5 p.m., was the deadline Judge Alia Moses imposed on the mediation attempt. But the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
As reported by Bloomberg Law, the mediation lasted a month, and was the first attempt at a resolution between the parties.
Retired Boston bankruptcy judge Joan N. Feeney oversaw the mediation, which began on June 16. The firm and the US Trustee agreed to enter talks after a tense hearing in May in which Moses said she’d lost patience with last-minute court filings.
Perhaps it’s not surprising the case couldn’t be resolved out of court. Since the scandal broke in 2023, it’s been nothing but messy allegations and revelations. It would be too simple if the biggest fallout from the scandal settled quietly.
Earlier: Biglaw Firm Gets Hit With Lawsuit Over Partner’s Romance
Former Judge Gets Combative When Pressed On His Romantic Relationship
Who Knew What When? The Latest In The Judge/Partner Romantic Scandal Rocking The Legal World
You Have To Read The Texts Uncovered In The Judge/ Biglaw Partner Romantic Scandal
Federal Judge Slams Biglaw Firm, Says Firm ‘Defiled The Very Temple Of Justice’
Biglaw Firm Still Paying The Price For Former Partner’s Romantic Scandal
Scandal-Ridden Former Federal Judge Seeks To Squash Lawsuit That Started It All
The Wild Ethical Lapse That Led To The Resignation Of A Top Bankruptcy Judge
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
The post Controversy Over Judge’s Secret Romance Heads To Trial appeared first on Above the Law.
The romance between Texas bankruptcy judge David R. Jones and Biglaw partner Elizabeth Freeman has birthed some intense controversy that remains ongoing. See, Jones, the (now former) federal bankruptcy judge, somehow didn’t recuse himself from cases involving Freeman, the (now former) partner at Jackson Walker. As a result, Jones resigned and the Department of Justice sued Freeman’s former firm to try to disgorge up to $23 million in fees it collected in the 33 cases overseen by Jones while he was involved with Freeman and alleging the firm breached its ethical duties by not disclosing the relationship. Jackson Walker insists it acted properly upon learning of the relationship.
Now it looks like that case is headed to trial.
Jackson Walker and the US Trustee’s office were in mediation in an attempt to resolve the matter. Yesterday, July 15th at 5 p.m., was the deadline Judge Alia Moses imposed on the mediation attempt. But the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
As reported by Bloomberg Law, the mediation lasted a month, and was the first attempt at a resolution between the parties.
Retired Boston bankruptcy judge Joan N. Feeney oversaw the mediation, which began on June 16. The firm and the US Trustee agreed to enter talks after a tense hearing in May in which Moses said she’d lost patience with last-minute court filings.
Perhaps it’s not surprising the case couldn’t be resolved out of court. Since the scandal broke in 2023, it’s been nothing but messy allegations and revelations. It would be too simple if the biggest fallout from the scandal settled quietly.
Earlier: Biglaw Firm Gets Hit With Lawsuit Over Partner’s Romance
Former Judge Gets Combative When Pressed On His Romantic Relationship
Who Knew What When? The Latest In The Judge/Partner Romantic Scandal Rocking The Legal World
You Have To Read The Texts Uncovered In The Judge/ Biglaw Partner Romantic Scandal
Federal Judge Slams Biglaw Firm, Says Firm ‘Defiled The Very Temple Of Justice’
Biglaw Firm Still Paying The Price For Former Partner’s Romantic Scandal
Scandal-Ridden Former Federal Judge Seeks To Squash Lawsuit That Started It All
The Wild Ethical Lapse That Led To The Resignation Of A Top Bankruptcy Judge
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
The post Controversy Over Judge’s Secret Romance Heads To Trial appeared first on Above the Law.
