Author Archives: Ed Kowalski

Introduction The most damaging effect of bad decisions is not always the immediate harm they cause. More often, it is the explicit blessing they bestow upon practices that should never have been dignified with judicial approval. When a federal judge cloaks misconduct in the robes of procedure, or validates inequities with the seal of precedent,Continue reading “The Blessing of Bad Decisions: Prudential v. Kowalski and the Judicial Endorsement of Discovery Abuse”

What I Witnessed Before Judge Victor Bolden in Prudential v. Kowalski Lawyers are solemnly described as “officers of the court.” The phrase is repeated like scripture in law schools, bar admissions, and courtroom ceremonies. It suggests a noble duty to justice itself—higher than client loyalty, higher even than self-interest. In theory, the “officer” role bindsContinue reading “The Hypocrisy of ‘Officers of the Court’”

She walked into the courtroom alone. Young. Nervous, but composed. Clutching a folder like it contained the last of her dignity. No lawyer. No roadmap. Just the mistaken belief that justice might still be something more than a slogan etched in stone above the courthouse door. “Where is my assigned counsel?” she thought. Not aloud.Continue reading “Judicial Arrogance on Full Display”

Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.” —Luke 11:46 There comes a moment in nearly every life when we first collide with the legal system. It might be buying a first home, navigating aContinue reading “And Justice For All?”

To those born between 1952 and 1979 — We are the bridge between two eras. The last to grow up before everything went digital— and the first to step into that new world, wide-eyed and unprepared. At our high school, the class of ’76 had more in common with the graduates of the 1950s thanContinue reading “To the Lucky Ones”

“You cited what?” A trial court in Georgia, just issued a ruling based on hallucinated A.I. case law—complete with fake citations, zero verification, and no pushback until the case hit the appeals court. It gets worse: on appeal, both parties cited 12 more non-existent cases. This isn’t just a glitch. It’s a systemic failure. NoContinue reading “Really?”

Back when summers were loud, streets were ours, and joy cost about fifty cents, there was Tina’s—the around-the-block candy store on 83rd. You’d walk in with a pocketful of change—sticky from melted candy—and head straight for the wire bin near the register. No need to ask. No need to explain. There it was, waiting forContinue reading “When Happiness Cost 45 Cents”

I’ve learned the hard way—there comes a point when holding things together just isn’t worth it. Meryl Streep once said, “Let things fall apart—stop exhausting yourself trying to hold them together.” She was right. Some things aren’t meant to last. Some people were never meant to stay. And forcing what’s already breaking only ends upContinue reading “You Know What Needs to Be Said—So Say It”

I keep this photo in my office. It’s a reminder of what real suffering looks like. Her name was Czesława Kwoka—a 14-year-old Catholic girl from Poland, deported to Auschwitz with her mother during the Nazi occupation. Shortly after they arrived, a guard beat her in the face for not understanding orders in German. Then, thisContinue reading “Never Forget”

My high school has, recently, published a number of photos of its newly admitted class of 2028 and I’ve enjoyed seeing these pictures. It’s been 51 years since I first entered Xavier. I see myself in these newly admitted ‘brothers’. Proud, happy, a bit scared; all on display. These young men have no way ofContinue reading “Future Sons of Xavier”

Ulvade, Texas. A city that now takes it place along side Parkland, Buffalo, Columbine, Sante Fe, Newtown and many others. 19 kids…19. Innocent lives lost and families that will forever be altered. 19 kids. All at an age where their biggest concern should be fractions, the end of the school year, little league,cub scouts, girlContinue reading “19 Kids”

From the Urban Dictionary:Eddie’s are extremely nice guys, are incredibly attractive for not only physical appearance but also their great sense of humor, they thrive on making others laugh and are very intelligent however having such a laid back attitude is their down fall. Surrounded by friends, an Eddie is a one in a million.Continue reading “I’ll always be an Eddie.”