Q & A WITH JUDGE ROBERTS
November 10, 2011 § 1 Comment
Chancellor Edwin Roberts is one of two chancery judges in north Mississippi’s far-flung 18th District (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah). Here is his Q & A.
Q: Tell us some of your personal preferences that lawyers from outside your district need to know before they come before you.
A: Be prepared in all meanings of the word, i.e. research your client’s story, interview your witnesses, know the facts and applicable law, and more!!!!!!
If you try to think about the rational and reasonable resolution to your case, your thinking will be in line with mine…
Act in a respectful, dignified, and professional manner in the Courtroom…
Q: What are the three attributes that you would consider to set the good lawyers apart from the bad ones?
A: a. They care..about their case, client, and the profession…..
b. They work hard as a result
c. They have a sense of responsibility
Q: What is the main thing lawyers should know to avoid doing in your court room during a trial?
A: Getting emotionally involved…Attorneys should try to maintain an objective approach with their Client’s best interest in mind. Remember, Client’s ARE already emotionally involved…you need to help them with levelheaded thinking…this means arguing their case based based on the FACTS and Law rather than EMOTIONS!!!!
Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
A: Helping people…
Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the least?
A: Unprepared and unprofessional Lawyers…
Q: What is your pet peeve as a judge?
A: Unprepared and emotionally invested lawyers as well as unnecessary litigation
Q: Cell phone ringing during a trial: death penalty, stern look, dismay, or no reaction?
A: YES!!!!
Q: Who do you model yourself after as a judge?
A: Chancellor William Anderson
Q: Who do you consider to be the best chancellor you ever appeared before, and what set that chancellor apart?
A: Chancellor William Anderson(Author of PASS v. PASS)….All lawyers as well as litigants perceived they had a fair hearing in front of a fair and impartial Judge….
Q: Share your innermost thoughts and feelings about MRCP 81.
A: Needs amending…keep inherent nature of “Equity” practice, but remove burdensome and unreasonable requirements of summons..ie adapt Rule 4 Process..bring back fiats and inherent power of Chancery Court to hear matters of emergency, child custody, etc.
Q: What do you do to try and get control of your probate docket?
A: Education of Clerks and their responsibilities…
Q: Should chancery and circuit court systems be merged?
A: ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
Q: There are 19 appellate judges. What would be the ideal number of former chancellors serving on the two appellate courts?
A: More than we have now…
Q: Tell us your favorite quote.
A: “Every Saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Oscar Wilde ” To err is Human, to forgive Divine”
Q: Tell us your favorite court room movie.
A: My Cousin Vinny
The Better Chancery Practice Blog 
This creed of every lawyer should be:
a. They care..about their case, client, and the profession…..
b. They work hard as a result
c. They have a sense of responsibility
d. Helping people