Rose Bowl Surprise Results in Emergency Trial Extension

Getting an emergency extension, especially for a trial date, is generally reserved for serious emergencies, like injuries, illnesses, disasters and catastrophes. Luckily for one Georgia lawyer, his judge considered the Georgia Bulldog's Rose Bowl appearance to be good cause.

In short, attorney J. Patrick Connell received, as the court lamented, a "generous" gift of a last minute trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl from his older brother. And despite the court noting some signs that the emergency extension could also be the result of poor preparation, the judge seemed all too excited to live vicariously through counsel. Not only was an extension granted for the Rose Bowl, but counsel was given enough time to attend the national championship game on January 8, which Georgia will be playing in thanks to their epic win on New Year's Day.

Law and Motion Hits and Highlights

The motion requesting the emergency extension, luckily for Connell, went to a Bulldogs fan and faithful. The motion included quite a bit of historical context to explain just how significant the Rose Bowl game is to the university, and Judge Karpf clearly liked it. For instance, Connell explained that it would be the first Rose Bowl appearance in 75 years.

In the order granting the emergency extension, Judge Karpf explains that he counts himself "among such faithful" (referencing the Georgia Bulldogs), and that he plans on watching the Rose Bowl from his couch in Savannah Georgia, which he noted "has the advantage of being more convenient to the administration of justice in Chatham County."

Additionally, in issuing the order, Judge Karpf further explained that counsel had made clear that "a victory for the Bulldogs hinges on nothing less than the very attendance of plaintiff's counsel, himself, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on New Year's Day." He further provided that if the Bulldogs did not win, counsel would be required to appear on January 3, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. to explain why he should not be held in contempt. This part is however footnoted to explain that the judge would likely require the attorney clean out the mascot's crate after away games as punishment for the contempt if the Bulldog's lost.

Related Resources:

• Legal Writing Tip No. 78: Don't Call a Judge a 'Bigoted Catholic Beast' (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
• 5 Ways to Deal With Your Post-Vacation Email Inbox (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Nastygrams to Opposing Counsel: How Far Is Too Far? (FindLaw's Strategist)