In a notable update from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Judge Pauline Newman, at 95-years-old, has reported her exclusion from a court email list for Federal Circuit judges. This step was taken just after Newman vowed to continue fighting against her colleagues’ decision to suspend her from hearing cases. Based on information from Bloomberg Law, Newman informed a district court of her removal from the email list for the judges of the Federal Circuit.
Further repercussions have been observed, with Newman’s peers reportedly intensifying her punishment for her refusal to participate in an investigation into her mental fitness. This included the denial of her routine request to lengthen the term of service for one of her law clerks.
These actions come as a surprise, raising questions on the apparent disregard of constitutional procedure. It is yet to be seen if the court justifies these actions, especially considering the stakes involved in withholding such fundamental professional access from a judge.
With Newman’s exclusion appearing to be more permanent than temporary, the court is facing scrutiny for potential shortcuts in the process. Ultimately, professionals are noting the irony as, in terms of upholding procedural correctness, judges are held to the highest standard.
This situation echoes a previous incident involving Newman, who fought a glaring due process issue. The resolution and implications of this incident, like the current one, held great significance in the realms of institutional conduct and ethics.