• Home
  • News
  • Ex-US Judge Hits ‘Disgraceful’ Pay Snub, Says It’s One Reason He Retired

Judiciary

Ex-US Judge Hits ‘Disgraceful’ Pay Snub, Says It’s One Reason He Retired

Posted Feb 9, 2009 7:45 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Former U.S. District Judge Alan Nevas says a pay snub was one reason he retired at the end of January.

Formerly a federal judge in Bridgeport, Conn., Nevas notes that Congress gave itself a 2.8 percent cost of living adjustment last year, but gave no corresponding increase to federal judges, the Connecticut Law Tribune reports. Other federal employees got a 3.8 percent increase. Leaving judges out of the mix “was disgraceful,” Nevas told the newspaper.

“I don’t want to be remembered for leaving the bench because I was upset over pay,” Nevas told the Law Tribune. “Salary was one of [the reasons] but not the driving factor.”

If Congress doesn’t act, younger federal judges may leave the bench and go back to private practice, Nevas told the Law Tribune. He is following the same path, joining Levett Rockwood in Westport as a special counsel.

Nevas, who was making $169,300 a year, had been a federal judge for 23 years and was eligible for a pension at full pay. “I worked for nothing, because if I left I would’ve received the same as I was getting,” Nevas told the newspaper.

A lawyer from Kirkland & Ellis, Christopher Landau, agrees with Nevas’ complaint about the pay snub. Landau has filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven federal judges who claim their failure to get a pay increase violates Article III’s ban on diminished compensation for federal judges, the story says.

Comments

1.

$169,300 equal the poor house
Feb 9, 2009 8:24 AM CST

Why are judges so bitter?

“Nevas, who was making $169,300 a year, had been a federal judge for 23 years and was eligible for a pension at full pay.”

Wonder how many people would love to live in your elitist shoes.  How many people make $169,300 a year for life and still cry about it.

This is just another example of ivy league elitist mentality.  Does that not cover your second country club dues or your vacations to 5 star resorts?

The rest of the world is losing their jobs and this guy is crying about being poor.  No wonder people get a bad impression of lawyers and judges when you have people like this out there.

This guy is a joke.  I hope he gets laid off at whatever firm he is at now.

Flag this comment

2.

Chris
Feb 9, 2009 11:53 AM CST

I agree with the sentiments just expressed in comment #1. I would be very happy with a job for life paying $169K per year, plus benefits, plus all kinds of perks, plus retirement benefits.

Flag this comment

3.

Joe McDonnell
Feb 9, 2009 11:56 AM CST

Considering they have no overhead, full medical and dental coverage, lifetime employment absent impeachment, and can pick and choose assignments when senior status is attained (at full pay), plus a generous pension, where’s the hardship?  Even Judge Posner (who makes closer to $200K) and his son admit the pay is more than adequate.  I’ll be happy to trade places with any of them.

Flag this comment

4.

Sue
Feb 9, 2009 12:04 PM CST

First year lawyers make what this guy makes.  He is a bum compared to what normal lawyers make.  Why not bump his salary up to $500,000 a year for life so he is on par with other lawyers.

Flag this comment

5.

df
Feb 9, 2009 12:36 PM CST

There’s something called serving the public; the private sector pays more. If you want more money, don’t become a judge (or don’t be a doctor or nurse or lawyer in the military, or etc.).

There is I believe enough of a prestige and service factor that there is no shortage of qualified people wishing to be Federal judges. If there were a shortage, there might be an enhanced need to compete with the private sector in terms of remuneration.

Now all that said, most judges do seem to be hard working, and to not even get a cost of living increase when Congress did, I agree is insulting and may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Flag this comment

6.

solo attorney
Feb 9, 2009 1:04 PM CST

I agree with the some of the comments above. This guy will be remembered as being a elitist a@# now for saying in public what others (who have sense) say in private. 169k is good money, your honor.

Sue, most attorneys don’t make 500k a year. The median or average salary for attorneys is no where near 500k a year. I’ve been in practice for 12 years and have never made 500k a year.

Flag this comment

7.

Tim
Feb 9, 2009 1:59 PM CST

I agree - this judge is a disgrace to the legal community. 

They need to enact a law that if a judge goes to work after stepping down from the bench that he does not get his $169,300 pension or it is reduced based on what he makes. 

Our tax dollars are going to support this ungrateful barely hanging in there $169,000 a year for life bum.

Who wants to bet this guy is a flaming liberal democratic?

Flag this comment

8.

Dick
Feb 9, 2009 9:08 PM CST

He knew coming in that he would make less in the public sector.  He had a choice and now he wants to be paid like he was in private practice….he had that option for 23 years…in what other situation do you receive 100 % of your salary for the rest of your life…...no matter what kind of judge you have been….....if the judge hasn’t noticed and apparently he has not….there are thousands of people who have no job at all ...it is called a very bad recession…..we expect that kind of attitude from congress(otherwise known as politicians)...not out of judges

Flag this comment

9.

jason
Feb 10, 2009 7:43 AM CST

How can he contribute to his politcal party with kick backs if he only makes 169k a year After all, everyone knows judges are bought and sold by the political machines.

Flag this comment

10.

kgg
Feb 10, 2009 12:31 PM CST

The assumption that we would be losing quality if some Federal Judges retire over pay issues is faulty and without foundation. There are many very high quality lawyers willing to do this at current salary levels.

Flag this comment

Add a Comment

We welcome your comments, but please adhere to our comment policy.

Commenting has expired on this post.