Yes, I know, you can spare me the comments and e-mails: I know Bogie never said that line. Notwithstanding anything therein or elsewhere to the contrary or at material variance therewith (as my paid-by-the-word colleagues would say), that line has gone down as part of the canon, and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the country’s done for.

Come to think of it, the country may well…but this is a nonpolitical blog.

Anyway, coming to the point (and I can hear my readers saying “There is one? How quaint.”), yesterday’s Zoomstravaganza, under the masterful guidance of Judge Ronald L. (“Ingenuity”) Buch, was well worth the time spent by the panel and audience. In addition to a thorough discussion of the variations between USTC discovery and FRCP in the Art. IIIs, we got to hear the viewpoints of OCC, a white shoe, and LITC. The facial expressions of Golden Gopher LITC honcho Caleb (“The”) Smith alone were worth the time. I’d only suggest that The Smith not play poker, even with friends.

But seriously folks, I asked whether these webinars could be recorded and made available on the USTC website for future viewing, for the benefit of those unable to attend at this time. I inquired using the Q&A function while the program was going on. Ms. Siegel, the czar of Public Affairs, replied that the program was not being recorded.

True, but it should have been. The remote mock trials run on the website during COVID by CSTJ Lewis (“It’s That Name Again”) Carluzzo were an enormous help. They should be continued.

As for discovery, it’s an area where even seasoned attorneys have come seriously unglued; to say nothing of self-representeds who never heard of Branerton but have watched one CLE about “win your case at discovery” and blast off all kinds of impermissible demands ten seconds after they file their petition.

Anything that might educate the parties coming to The Glasshouse in The City That Avoided Default, to save even a few of the endless wasted replies and orders in response to endless wasted discovery motions, must be greeted with loud cheers. Especially by Tax  Court’s hardlaboring intake clerks and flailing datestampers.

Surely recording and making available these useful guides on the USTC website is not beyond the capacity of the Genius Baristas and 18Fs.

So how ’bout it, Ch J Kathleen (“TBS = The Big Shillelagh”) Kerrigan?