Law360 Quotes Rex Heinke in Article on Possible 9th Circuit Breakup
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Law360 has quoted Rex Heinke, co-head of the Supreme Court and appellate practice at Akin Gump, in the article “Corporate Lawyers Wary Of Bids To Break Up 9th Circ.” regarding various proposals to split up the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. The article reports that several bills have been introduced this year in Congress that would create a new 12th Circuit.
According to the article, many business lawyers are hesitant to push for such a move. They say the prospect of creating a new circuit raises the possibility of a new wave of litigation, with new legal avenues to defend and a likely free-for-all from plaintiffs lawyers.
On the other hand, as the article points out, the 9th Circuit has been the slowest court in recent years, though some argue it is no less efficient than any of the other circuit courts on business appeals.
“Is it because it’s big? Or is it because Congress simply hasn’t provided enough judges?” said Heinke. The 9th Circuit currently has four vacancies, the most of any circuit.