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Following on the success of Tough Cases, called “A law buff’s dream” by headbutler.com, Challenging Cases collects judges’ firsthand stories of deciding cases when the world is watching
Most cases judges decide garner little public attention. But occasionally, a case is tried both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion. In Challenging Cases, some of the country’s leading jurists talk about the most high-profile cases they’ve handled—ones where the eyes of the world were upon them.
Whether the defendant was a beloved major league baseball player, a movie star, or a well-known sex-offender, or whether the topic addressed an especially contentious aspect of the culture wars, these cases played out before millions of on-lookers, adding a whole new dimension to what is already a Solomonic responsibility.
In their previous book, Tough Cases, called “an unprecedented view from the bench” by legal commentator Greta van Susteren, and “a genuine revelation” by Justin Driver in The Washington Post, Judges Canan, Mize, and Weisberg made us privy to the thought processes of judges making some of their hardest legal decisions. In Challenging Cases, over a dozen judges from courts in California, DC, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington State, and even Kosovo speak to the added challenge of trials involving high-profile defendants. Cases include:
- the perjury trial of Roger Clemens
- the sentencing of January 6th rioters
- the case of Dr. Larry Nassar, accused of the sexual abuse of hundreds of female athletes
- the Kosovo international war crimes trial
- the Johnny Depp trial
Providing the fodder for a whole new season of Law and Order, Challenging Cases is for every actual and armchair legal beagle in the country.
Praise for Challenging Cases:
“A revelatory view inside the courtroom and into the minds of judges.”—Booklist
“Building on the success of their first book, the editors present a new collection of stories by trial judges that describe some of their hardest cases. With refreshing candor, the authors put the reader at the center of the action and illuminate how wisdom, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law can guide judges through the most demanding cases to reach a fair and just decision.”—Greta Van Susteren, journalist
“These stories demonstrate how applying the rule of law to tough, complex and emotionally charged cases can weigh heavily on a judge’s mind and heart. Yet, in describing their struggles to reach fair outcomes in difficult matters, the authors give us many reasons to be proud of, and trusting in, our nation’s courts.”—Eric H. Holder Jr., former Attorney General of the United States
“As justice and chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court for thirty-six years, my mission has been to ensure public trust and confidence in our courts. Through these stories written by veteran trial judges, readers enter the hearts and minds of jurists struggling to bring just results to seemingly impossible human situations.”—Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (Ret.), Supreme Court of Texas
“Thoughtfully written, Challenging Cases is fascinating twice over. The cases themselves present important facts about matters in the public eye and cases that present difficult societal issues. The judges’ accounts provide the gift of insight into the judicial thought process. I found myself thinking about chapters of this book long after I’d finished.”—Seth Waxman, 41st Solicitor General of the United States
Russell F. Canan is currently a senior judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and an adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Law. He lives in Washington, DC.the George Washington University School of Law. He lives in Washington, DC.
Gregory E. Mize is currently a senior judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. He lives in Washington, DC.
Frederick H. Weisberg is currently a senior judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and teaches regularly in the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School. He lives in Washington, DC.