Lotter v. Houston (PURSUANT TO ORDER #21, SEND A COPY OF ALL UNSEALED FILINGS TO PETITIONER)

Filing 63

ORDER that the Cline-Williams firm represents Petitioner together with Mr. Brennan. I have done additional research regarding the fact that Laura Hegge (one of my law clerks) and Bren Chambers( Judge Zwarts law clerk) once worked for the Cline-Williams firm as associates. IT IS ORDERED that Ms. Hegge and Mr. Chambers shall do no work on this case and they shall be screened from discussions regarding this matter. Ordered by Judge Richard G. Kopf. (ADB, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA JOHN L. LOTTER, Petitioner, V. ROBERT HOUSTON, Warden, Tecumseh State Correctional Center, Respondent. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

4:04CV3187

ORDER

The Cline-Williams firm represents Petitioner together with Mr. Brennan. I have done additional research regarding the fact that Laura Hegge (one of my law clerks) and Bren Chambers( Judge Zwart's law clerk) once worked for the Cline-Williams firm as associates. After that additional research, Judge Zwart and I have concluded that in the exercise of our discretion that Ms. Hegge and Mr. Chambers should not work on this matter and that it is advisable to screen them. Cf. Advisory Opinion No. 51, available at http://www.uscourts.gov/RulesandPolicies/CodesofConduct (click on Published Advisory Opinions). Therefore, IT IS ORDERED that Ms. Hegge and Mr. Chambers shall do no work on this case1 and they shall be screened from discussions regarding this matter.2 DATED this 1st day of July, 2010. BY THE COURT: Richard G. Kopf United States District Judge

It is beyond dispute that the disqualification of a federal judge's law clerk does not work a disqualification of the federal judge.
2

1

Neither Ms. Hegge nor Mr. Chambers have done any work on this case.