Rock N Roll Judge: Former Chief Judge of Southern TX Talks Law’s Spirit, Evolution & Future cover art

Rock N Roll Judge: Former Chief Judge of Southern TX Talks Law’s Spirit, Evolution & Future

Rock N Roll Judge: Former Chief Judge of Southern TX Talks Law’s Spirit, Evolution & Future

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 They call him the Rock and Roll Judge; a man who could go from a courtroom to a concert stage without missing a beat. He's run marathons, played tuba, directed Broadway musicals, and reshaped how bankruptcy law is practiced in America— but Judge Richard Schmidt is known above all else for his deep respect for people and having a courtroom that ran like a symphony. In today’s episode, the retired Chief Judge of the Southern District of Texas discusses the evolution of Chapter 11, the human side of financial collapse, and the “rock and roll” spirit behind the bench. Key Insights & Timestamps: [00:00] Podcast begins [02:18] Broadway & the Bench: Serving as a judge while engaging in the community arts [06:00] Commander to Chief: Using air force leadership experience in the courtroom [17:12] Big Cost to Go Broke: Evolution of bankruptcy law into a high-cost game [28:06] Lessons Learned: Cases that tackled law & language barriers for Judge Schmidt [33:37] Advice for Law’s Next Generation: Managing the high stakes of bankruptcy law today Guest Spotlight: Judge Richard Schmidt Judge Richard Schmidt is a retired federal judge in Corpus Christi, TX, with 28 years of exemplary service on the Southern District of Texas bench. As a bankruptcy fiduciary, consultant, mediator, and arbitrator, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to assist bankruptcy cases across the United States. Key Takeaways: From the Big Stage to the Court Room: When Judge Schmidt became the first bankruptcy judge in Corpus Christi, he was new to the community and sought many ways to get involved outside of the court room, including tapping into his past experience in musicals and symphonies. I think the public is entitled to know their judge,” Schmidt says of his time in Christi, “To the extent that you can be involved in things that are not judging, then you get to know the community.” Complex Cases & Chapter 11: The first complex case filed in Judge Schmidt’s courtroom was Greyhound, and he learned quickly about the importance of multiple hearings, lawyers on call, and fast decision making. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made right in a hurry, and they need a judge that can handle a complex case,” Schmidt explains when discussing the Greyhound case. “Not all judges are meant for complex cases, so I started developing a system.” Navigating High Stakes Cases: Advice for today’s lawyers and judges hits home for Judge Schmidt, whose daughter currently practices bankruptcy law and has sought his wisdom in the past with high profile cases. “For most judges, the rules are very important,” Schmidt says of practicing bankruptcy law. “I think you need to know the judge, his staff or her staff, and the clerk of the court.” Resources Mentioned: Judgerss.com Connect with Judge Richard Schmidt: Judgerss.com/contact/ Produced by Speakerbox Media.
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