Illinois judges discuss their short attention spans

I am proud to be an attorney. I love studying law. I love advocating and I do it every day.

My (legal) profession disappointed me when they ignored all of the good I had done in the legal profession for 10 years and effectively dumped me when I suffered depression (after a series of unnecessary orthopedic surgeries and treatment with multiple psychiatric drugs by an irresponsible psychiatrist).

Every mental health health professional that evaluated me stated that I should practice law - even the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission's psychiatric professional Stafford Henry, MD.

But, the thought that I struggled with depression was too much for the ARDC to handle. And the fact that I worked hard to heal myself and overcome the depression made the ARDC suspicious. Huh? Ironically, the depression was gone once I stopped treating with Carle Clinic Association orthopedic surgeon Chris Dangles, MD. IMHO, the ARDC and Illinois legal community's attitude toward me amounts to prejudice of perceived mental health issues.

I did not think that my embarrassment of the Illinois legal profession could worsen until I read the following article:

Friday, May 22, 2009 @09:06am CST

Illinois Judges Sick Of Short Skirts

Several Illinois judges showed up at a bar association last night with an unusual list of complaints.

The "National Law Journal" reports U.S. District Court judge Joan Lefkow initially voiced annoyance over some lawyers' wardrobe choices. Lefkow referenced one woman who showed up for a hearing looking like she had, quote, "stopped in on her way home from the gym." Although dress code was not a scheduled topic for the meeting, other judges agreed. Bankruptcy judge Benjamin Goldgar of northern Illinois complained some female lawyers wear such short skirts or low cut blouses it's hard to pay attention to their arguments.

http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=86652

Shame on these judges. Do they also blame rape victims or victims of domestic violence for their clothing choices?

My fondest memory of arguing before the Fourth District Appellate Court involved a medical legal issue and presenting my argument before the Fourth District panel. One appellate judge for whom I will always hold the deepest respect is the recently deceased Judge Fredrick Green.

Judge Green treated every attorney with respect and dignity. However, he often looked straight at the ceiling during attorney arguments. Judge Green was probably focusing on the words we used. I doubt Judge Green would have ever even noticed (much less been distracted) by an attorney's choice of clothing. Judge Green was a consummate professional. He made me proud to be an attorney.

It is just plain offensive and unprofessional that judges (federal and state) in Illinois are obsessing about the attorneys' clothing. The judges should have the self control to focus their attention to the legal issues.

I hope that some day the high standards of decency and honor that jurists such as Judge Fred Green represented will return to the Land of Lincoln.

Attorneys who successfully battle depression (especially without illegal drugs or alcohol as a crutch) and attorneys who do the best they can putting together an outfit should be evaluated by the strength of their legal arguments and personal character --- not by the Illinois legal communities' petty prejudices and short attention span.

The fact that these complaints were discussed at a bar association meeting is not cute or even insightful. It is a waste of the people of Illinois' time.

The Illinois public deserves better, Your Honors.