Officers from the Region Legal Service Office Midwest (RLSO MW) met with two United States District Court Judges for the Northern District of Illinois at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago, Ill., February 11, 2016.
Capt. Gregory R. Bart, commanding officer, RLSO MW, and twelve officers traveled to downtown Chicago to meet with the Honorable Edmond E. Chang and the Honorable Gary S. Feinerman. The meeting took place in Judge Chang’s courtroom. The judges and officers discussed the differences between the civilian justice system and the military justice system, writing styles within the legal profession, how to effectively communicate with jury members, the use of sentencing guidelines in the civilian justice system and tips for being professional litigators.
When asked for advice regarding the delivery of bad news to clients, Judge Chang described a Navy officer, Lt. Cmdr. K. D. Ringle, who had the courage to write a report to the Chief of Naval Operations recommending against the internment of Japanese Americans on the basis of race alone following Pearl Harbor.
Judge Chang explained that sometimes opinions must be shared, even if they are not the popular opinion at the time. Judge Chang was nominated to a federal judgeship on April 21, 2010 by President Obama. He received his commission on December 20, 2010. He was the youngest Federal trial judge serving when he received his commission. Judge Feinerman was nominated to a federal judgeship by President Obama on February 24, 2010. He received his commission on June 28, 2010. Judge Feinerman previously worked as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. RLSO MW provides the highest quality legal service and support to Navy commanders, commands and individual Sailors and their families within its geographic area.