Karen Lee Torre

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: Dutch Treat To Convoluted Logic

Monday, March 24, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

Americans got an education in the Dutch legal system as a result of the Natalee Holloway case. There are some attractive things about Dutch law and some aspects which can work an injustice and make little sense. Plea bargains are a main feature of our criminal justice system, serving the interest of economy, quicker justice for victims and the sensible value of giving criminals something in return for prompt acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: Remembering Bob Reilly

Monday, March 17, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

On March 17, I always think of Judge Bob Reilly. Of course, he loved St. Patty's Day. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing and appearing before him might agree that left unfilled to this day is the personality void in the G.A. court caused by his untimely death in 1994. He was truly one of a kind mdash; a judge's judge, a lawyer's judge, even a criminal's judge.

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: Ginsburg Proves Many Points

Monday, February 25, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg likes to give speeches. Unlike Justice Antonin Scalia, whom the liberal press guns for every time he opens his mouth, liberal justices and lower federal court judges can orate off the bench, and even maintain active membership in special interest lobby groups mdash; like the American Bar Association mdash; with a decidedly left-wing agenda without a peep from the Associated Press and emNew York Times/em.

• United States Supreme Court/
• Civil Rights & Constitutional Law

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: The Blind Leading The Unkind

Monday, February 18, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

Five corporations mdash; owners of McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Taco Bell outlets in New York State mdash; and their lawyers, deserve the ribbon for most ignoble appellate advocacy. The Second Circuit last week reinstated the Americans with Disabilities Act claim of a legally blind woman whose requests to have menus read to her (or large-print menus provided) were met with impatience and ridicule from restaurant staff.

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: Activist Judges In New Age Spotlight

Monday, February 11, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

Listening to academics and jurists at various symposia posit reasons for the new age of judicial critics and nomination battles, it seemed most missed the obvious. Quite simply, it's the electronic age. Throughout history, the public had but a rudimentary grasp of the judiciary. The information super-highway has allowed for easy monitoring of judges and quick, mass communication about their backgrounds, "connections," publications, speeches and rulings. The public thus gained an in-depth understanding of the role ideology plays in judging.

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: Am I Hispanic? What Do You Care?

Monday, February 4, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

While surfing web sites for e-mail addresses, I was struck by the absurd degree to which many law firms are compelled to highlight their "diversity," some going so far as to detail their numbers. One offered a mouthful in noting a lawyer's work for the "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Allied Community (LGBTQQA)." The liberal obsession with identity has run amok. If any more adjectives are added to the libidinal mix you won't be able to recite it without coming up for air. What's next? "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Necrophilic, Queer, Questioning,Allied, Impotent and Clueless"? ("LGBTNQQAIC" for short.) Can't we make it simple and call it, say, "everything but straight" (EBS)? This dyslexic would appreciate it.

• Civil Rights & Constitutional Law

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: Of Puppets And Ayn Rand

Monday, January 28, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

Having eschewed the courtroom in favor of writing, I am wistful and although still 40-something, given to codger-like reminiscing. Recently, C-Span marked the 50th anniversary of "Atlas Shrugged," Turner Classic Movies aired "The Fountainhead" and I was taken back to a memorable trial.

Legally Conservative

Karen Lee Torre Commentary: More Rules, More Motions

Monday, January 21, 2008 | by Karen Lee Torre | The Connecticut Law Tribune

Changes in practice habits coupled with ever-expanding local rules have made federal litigation a different game from the late '80s when I first started out. In employment and other civil rights cases, summary judgment motions are now all but guaranteed, some filed simply for fear of not filing one. It is akin to a doctor ordering rounds of unnecessary tests as a malpractice prophylactic.