Fifth Circuit Won’t Discipline Judge Who Banned Female Attorney

A federal appeals court won’t take disciplinary action against a judge who banned a female assistant US attorney from appearing in his courtroom.

Chief Judge Priscilla Richman of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said in an order that she believes US District Judge Lynn Hughes’ conduct “was improper,” including disparaging comments he made about female attorneys in another case. However, Richman said that action “is no longer necessary,” as Hughes, who sat in the Southern District of Texas, has since taken senior inactive status and isn’t hearing any cases.

The order is dated June 12 but ...