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Judge recuses from Springhaven Investments case, cites multiple personal connections
Summary
The presiding judge in a commercial suit involving Springhaven Investments LLC said he cannot sit on the case because of several personal and staff connections to parties and lawyers and will forward the matter to the regional deputy judge.
The presiding judge told the courtroom he would withdraw from Springhaven Investments LLC v. Nathan because of conflicts of interest involving courthouse staff and a physician party. "I just don't believe that I can sit on this case," the judge said, announcing a recusal and that the case would be sent to the regional deputy judge.
Lee Kessinger, counsel appearing for a defendant, confirmed the court would enter any agreed order the parties provide and counsel said he would prepare and circulate an order electronically. The judge said he would sign an agreed order if no party objected but otherwise would not remain on the matter and would notify the chief judge of the recusal.
The court made the ruling after noting multiple overlapping relationships: the judge observed that a court clerk and a staff attorney have ties to parties in the litigation and that a physician party has sold a practice to a center that employs court staff. "I've got so many different connections with this sort of thing that, reluctantly, I'm gonna recuse," the judge said.
The court did not enter other substantive relief in the case that day; instead, it directed counsel to notify the chief deputy/regional judge and to circulate any proposed agreed order for the judge's signature if all parties consented. The clerk will effect the administrative reassignment to the regional deputy judge.
