Lawyer fighting secret federal court ban

[GeorgeGist]

Little-known rule let case over '06 hearing be filed in secret.

CHATTANOOGA - A prominent Knoxville defense lawyer who fought to shed light on back-door governmental deal-making has since January been fending off a secret move to bar him from practicing law in, the News Sentinel learned Thursday.

U.S. District Chief Judge Curtis L. Collier in January filed under seal proceedings to strip attorney Herbert S. Moncier of his right to practice law in federal courts in the Eastern District of Tennessee, a move that if successful likely would take from him the ability to handle federal cases nationwide.

Collier, who presides in Chattanooga, ordered every document filed in the case to be kept from public view. He instructed Moncier to notify - in secret - all federal judges before whom Moncier had pending cases of the disciplinary action.

He barred Moncier from publicly revealing the fight for his career, which kept Moncier from seeking the help of any legal advocacy groups. A day-long hearing was held Wednesday at Collier's direction by U.S. District Magistrate Judge Susan K. Lee. However, no notice of that hearing was filed publicly, nor was it included in the daily list of cases to be heard, known as a public docket.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/mar/07/moncier-fighting-federal-court-ban/
FYI, Collier is a Clinton appointee.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Hear ye, hear ye! The Kangaroo Kourt is now in session! n/t