Appellate Judges Fight Like Red Sox and Yankees, Judge Lee Says

Ninth Circuit Judge Kenneth Lee compared the federal appellate courts’ work atmosphere to the “Red Sox and Yankees.”

“Bitter rivals. The fans are sometimes literally fighting each other, have too many beers. The players cordially want to beat each other,” Lee said during a Federalist Society event at UCLA’s law school Thursday. “But ultimately, there’s a level of respect.”

The federal appellate judiciary’s work environment is “collegial” overall, Lee and Fifth Circuit Judge James Ho said. When people disagree they need to “presume good faith and articulate your views,” Ho said, noting that sometimes “who you disagree with today ...