Once you get a reputation for being obliging, you can’t get away from it. That Obliging Jurist, Judge David Gustafson, is a victim of his own success. People want him to babysit their cases, even when he’s not going to be at the trial venue.

Here’s his designated hitter, Hailey Property Holdings, LLC, Hailey Land Manager, Tax Matters Partner, Docket No. 24486-16, filed 11/6/17.

Both Hailey and IRS want a continuance of their Atlanta face-off, and they spell out good grounds for that, so Judge Gustafson gives it them.

But they can’t bear to be separated from that Obliging Jurist. IRS and Hailey ask “…that the undersigned judge retain jurisdiction and require the filing of status reports every 90 days.” Order, at p. 1.

Judge Gustafson doesn’t say he’s flattered, but I expect he is.

Nevertheless, relinquishing jurisdiction, he blows off IRS and Hailey. “However, the undersigned judge is not scheduled for a subsequent Atlanta session and does not know whether or when he is likely to be so scheduled. The parties do not suggest that this case might require a special trial session (rather than being included on a future Atlanta calendar) and do not explain any special needs that might exist in this case requiring in the meantime the superintendence of a judge (rather than having the case pending in the general docket).” Order, at p. 1.

Judge, love doesn’t need reasons.