Texas Supreme Court Justice, JJ Watt Deliver Baby (News) [UPDATED]
And now for a little Friday fun. We're big fans of Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett around these parts. He's an Ice Cube fan and consistently brings a levity to Twitter that feels rare among his judicial colleagues.
It seems like there's nothing this justice can't make funny, but what about when it comes to one of the most sacred announcements concerning human relationships?
Congratulations!
Among his normal stream of wit and writerly advice to young lawyers, Justice Willett tweeted this yesterday:
How does an All-Star @JusticeWillett law clerk tell her husband they're expecting? She enlists All-Galaxy @JJWatt! pic.twitter.com/XnNgth1hRl
-- Justice Don Willett (@JusticeWillett) July 16, 2015
Yep, that's Houston Texans star defensive end and affable manimal J.J. Watt, pictured here announcing the pregnancy of one of Justice Willett's law clerks.
While this could be a case of a tweet asking more questions than it answered (Does Willett know Watt? Or does his clerk? How often does Watt act as stork to the stars?), we're just gonna be happy this exists on the internet, and wish Mr. and Mrs. Steve Burke all the best.
[UPDATE: An earlier version of this article indicated that it might have been Justice Willett that arranged the baby announcement, but as he clarified in a later tweet: My star law clerk @MarcellaBurke scored this herself, not me. All credit to her. I'm an in-awe bystander."]
Is It Ethical for Judges to Tweet?
Judicial Twitter accounts have led some of you to wonder whether it's ethical for judges to tweet. Well fear not: the American Bar Association has addressed this topic, and their Model Code of Judicial Conduct says it's A-OK so long as there is no impropriety or the appearance thereof.
Judges are encouraged to use their best judgment when it comes to their engagement with followers on Twitter, and avoid tweeting legal advice or information about their cases. Young judges just getting into the Twitter game should learn from the OG, Justice Willett, and keep the tweets light-hearted and not case-related. Also, don't friend litigants on Facebook.
Related Resources:
- JJ Watt Helps Deliver Baby News (ABC 13)
- Texas Supreme Court Joins Twitter (FindLaw's Fifth Circuit)
- 50 Twitter Accounts Lawyers Should Follow Religiously (Part I) (FindLaw's Technologist)
- 50 Twitter Accounts Lawyers Should Follow Religiously (Part II) (FindLaw's Technologist)