Political Pressure Drives Forum-Shopping Policy, Key Judge Says

A federal judge spotlighted by forum shopping in Texas criticized efforts by the judiciary to limit the practice, saying persistent outside forces are driving the policy response.

Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas told a Federalist Society conference in Fort Worth on Saturday that the Judicial Conference action appeared to be the result of “external political criticism.”

He said the policy guidance issued this spring was selective and “thankfully judges and members of our profession pushed back.” But he warned of further efforts to toughen the position and that pressure “will not ease up anytime soon.”

The Judicial …