Disrobed: An Inside Look at the Life and Work of a Federal Trial Judge - Hardcover

Frederic Block

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0314606629 ISBN 13: 9780314606624

Publisher: Thomson Reuters Westlaw, 2012

Synopsis

Get a unique look at the life and trials of Federal District Court Judge Frederic Block, whose bench sits in the heart of New York City. The book was written for the general public in an effort to explain, in practical terms, the perspective behind some of the most newsworthy and sensational cases of the last 20 years. The Judge discusses the death penalty, racketeering, gun laws, drug laws, discrimination laws, race riots, terrorism, and foreign affairs, as well as the more humble aspects of being a man on the bench.

About this title

About the Author

Fred Block practiced law for 34 years as a small-town lawyer before he was appointed to the federal district court bench in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. He is an Indiana University alumnus and received his law degree from Cornell Law School. Far removed from New York City he made his mark in private practice by successfully handling a number of pivotal national cases. As reflected in this book, Judge Block has a creative flair. A jazz musician, he previously showed off his artistic talent in an off-Broadway musical he co-authored - both music and lyrics - ;Professionally Speaking, and a host of country songs he wrote, before the bench beckoned.

Review

Judge Block gives the reader an engaging, often humorous account of his life, as always, and a compelling introduction to the world of a Federal judge whose decisions are subject to plenty of public scrutiny but whose decision-making process remains a mystery for most Americans. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States --President Bill Clinton

At 78, Frederic Block is going strong. He still hears cases as a senior judge in Federal District Court for the Eastern District, which has jurisdiction over Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. He picked up modern Greek a few years ago. And now, he has written an engaging autobiography titled Disrobed: An Inside Look at the Life and Work of a Federal Trial Judge (Thomson Reuters Westlaw, $29.95). Despite the title, don t expect a bare-all book. Still, Judge Block offers a rare look behind decision-making on the federal bench. His stated goal was to make judicial proceedings accessible to the layman, and mercifully, without footnotes he largely succeeds. He has plenty of experience to draw on, including cases involving the Crown Heights riots, Kitty Genovese and Peter Gotti. And he has plenty to say. This is, after all, the same forthright jurist who warned prosecutors in a murder-for-hire case that seeking the death penalty was absurd, and who once worried aloud that he would have egg foo young on my face if a Chinese defendant skipped bail. A version of this article appeared in print on August 12, 2012, on page MB3 of the New York edition with the headline: Exploring a Lyricist and a Brooklyn Bohemia . By SAM ROBERTS Published: August 10, 2012 --A version of this article appeared in print on August 12, 2012, on page MB3 of the New York edition with the headline: Exploring a Lyricist and a Brooklyn Bohemia . By Sam Roberts

Edition details

• Publisher: Thomson Reuters Westlaw
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0314606629
• ISBN 13: 9780314606624
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 456