Judge Ross Should Have Been Punished For Abdicating Her Judicial Power To Her Law Clerks

The Volokh Conspiracy ^ | 1 June 2026 | Josh Blackman

[Rummyfan]

Perhaps it is common enough for Presidents to sign executive orders he does not read, or for members of Congress to vote on bills they do not read, but federal judges should aspire to a higher standard.

Judge Eleanor Ross, who serves on the federal bench in Atlanta, engaged in multiple acts of misconduct. She carried on a secret affair with an Atlanta police department officer for nearly two years, repeatedly had loud sex in her chambers, lied about her trysts, and obstructed the investigation. Each of these actions warranted a public reprimand and an impeachment inquiry. But one of the more stunning allegations has flown under the radar: Judge Ross routinely signs judicial orders her law clerks prepare without even reading them. Indeed, it seems she never even talks about these cases with her clerks, so likely has no clue what she is even approving. Yet the council that reviewed this case found no misconduct.

Let me tell you a not-so-well-kept secret: most judges let their law clerks do far too much. Take it from my personal experience. I clerked in a federal district court for two years immediately after law school. The judge I clerked for, who recently passed away, was a dedicated jurist and an honorable man, but he let his clerks have far too much autonomy. At the time, I was overwhelmed with how many important decisions turned on my immature judgment. In hindsight, I cringe at my mistakes that the judge did not catch. Judge Ross will likely lose her judgeship, either through resignation or impeachment. But the public needs to take a closer look at judges who have abdicated the judicial power to unknown law clerks.

---

TOPICS: Government; Miscellaneous; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS:

[Rummyfan]

This woman is a disgrace to the judiciary and the law profession. Out with her!

[Aevery_Freeman]

Imagine being so vile as to be a disgrace to...lawyers!

Hey, aren’t most politicians lawyers?

[Flavious_Maximus]

Black democrats have the lowest IQ’s, while Black Republicans have the highest. Just saying.

[Robert DeLong]

Judge Eleanor Ross

[Cowgirl of Justice]

I certainly wouldn’t want her to ‘judge’ me being that she is a lying son of a b!tch.

[hal ogen]

What a subhuman disgrace to all life forms. She should be thrown off the bench and imprisoned for decades for her arrogant perfidy. ALL of her decisions should be investigated.

[ComputerGuy]

She has two boxes checked, so she just might skate.

[liberalh8ter]

Good article but I'm sure with as much traction as this story is gaining, some leftard will be along shortly to explain that this is nothing more than a “cultural” difference.

[Rockingham]

I have noticed the same. More so than even most Republicans, since black Republicans go against community expectations, they tend to be intelligent, to think for themselves, and are Republican based on ideas, principles, and life experience. Yet even ordinary black people I have known who are Democrats are solid if they work, have a stable family, and are sincere church goers. The same as with whites.

[Liz]

Judge Eleanor Ross on the federal bench in Atlanta, will likely lose
her judgeship. Each of these actions warrant an impeachment inquiry.
<><>she engaged in multiple acts of misconduct.
<><>She had a secret affair w/ a police officer for nearly two years,
<><>she repeatedly had disturbingly loud sex in court chambers,
<><>she then lied about her trysts,
<><>and obstructed the investigation.

But one of the more stunning allegations has flown under the radar: Judge Ross routinely signs judicial orders her law clerks prepare without even reading them. Indeed, it seems she never even talks about these cases with her clerks, so likely has no clue what she is even approving. Yet the council that reviewed this case found no misconduct.

[rlmorel]

"...Imagine being so vile as to be a disgrace to...lawyers! Hey, aren’t most politicians lawyers?..."

I read recently that 40% of all American politicians are lawyers...what to make of this??????

Love the way you framed that!