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<p>Of course, this is just the trial phase (district court). If
this judge has to twist himself into a pretzel to get his desired
outcome, then there will be grounds for appeal, as long as those
on the appealing side have the financial resources (or the pro
bono interest) to bring it back.</p>
<p>Not too surprising that those filing the suit would venue-shop if
they have the option. Sometimes this can get them further, but
there are limits to this strategy if the actual substance of the
case is weak on the merits. Sometimes venue-shopping is the
equivalent of a "Hail Mary" -- an act of desperation intended to
increase chances of ultimate success from infinitesimal to
minuscule. That's what lawyers get paid the big bucks for...<br>
</p>
<p>Dan<br>
</p>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 9/29/16 5:44 PM, Edward Morris
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:c7fa5c060284445f89982506ca9174e6@toast.net"
type="cite"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica,
Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px">
<div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Hello everyone,</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">?The lawsuit will be heard at 18:30
UTC today (Friday). It has been assigned to Judge George
Hanks. </span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Judge Hanks is a conservative,
appointed by President Barrack Obama but nominated by
Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. Hanks was
appointed to his first judgeship by
conservative Republican Governor Rick Perry. During
his initial re-election campaign, in 2002, the
Republican National State Election campaign committee
donated $500 to Judge Hanks. In 2008 Judge
Hanks himself donated $250 to Senator Cornyn, the man
who eventually nominated to his current position. </span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">I agree with Milton - there is not a
lot to this case. There is enough on the surface,
though, that it passes the laugh test. I've read about
a dozen opinions by Judge Hanks this evening and he
certainly is not a black letter law guy. On the limited
basis of what I've read he seems to search for law that
justifies the outcome he wants as much as he applies the
law to fact situations appropriately. A dozen cases does
not make a judge but it is a bit worrying.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">I believe standing is a problem and
the case should be dismissed. I'm not sure that is going
to happen, at least immediately, but I hope it does. The
Plaintiffs could have filed anywhere in 4 states. They
picked the venue where they felt they had the best
chance of success. It will be an interesting day.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Best,</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Ed</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%">
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;"><strong>From</strong>: "Mueller,
Milton L" <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:milton@GATECH.EDU"><milton@GATECH.EDU></a><br>
<strong>Sent</strong>: Thursday, September 29, 2016 9:49
PM<br>
<strong>To</strong>: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU">NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU</a><br>
<strong>Subject</strong>: Re: Transition Lawsuit</span></span>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Their legal claims are utter
rubbish. They are basically speculating that without
USG oversight ICANN might destroy the .GOV domain.
They are claiming that the root is US government
property – a claim that GAO has already discredited
– and they are claiming the NTIA didn’t provide an
opportunity for public comment. </span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">As Michael Froomkin said on
Twitter, it’s not a matter of whether these claims
will succeed or not, it’s a matter of how quickly
they will be dismissed. </span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;"><strong>From:</strong> NCSG-Discuss
[<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU">mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU</a>] <strong>On
Behalf Of </strong>Karel Douglas<br>
<strong>Sent:</strong> Thursday, September 29,
2016 11:40 AM<br>
<strong>To:</strong> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU">NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU</a><br>
<strong>Subject:</strong> Re: Transition
Lawsuit</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Thanks Ed,</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">I scanned the pleadings and
would be very interested to see how the Court will
treat with their legal arguments. Thanks for
sharing.</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Regards</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span
style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida
grande,sans-serif;">Karel Douglas</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
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