How young is too young to be a federal circuit judge? Let me offer a slightly contrary take: My concern w/youth on court of appeals is not lack of experience, but a fear that those named to bench when young can't imagine themselves as non-judges. law.com/nationallawjou…
A lawyer named to the bench at 50 probably sees himself as a lawyer who happened to become a judge. A lawyer named to the bench at 35 is more likely to sees himself as 100% a judge, with a judge-focused view of the world. That's my concern, at least.
It's different if you're talking about district judge nominees, given the diverse trial work they see and many discretionary calls they have to make. But any law nerd can be an appellate judge.
