by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 25– Two big law firms faced on Thursday in a nearly empty courtroom about, among other things, who the proper President of Venezuela is.
Listed as representing Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., counsel from Vinson & Elkins referred dismissively to the "Madura regime" and said that service of process on the firm had not been proper. The suit if for breach of contract, failure to pay. They will file a motion on August 1.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jed S. Rakoff noted that August 1 is his birthday, then quipped that "I am running 49." He asked if counsel with an August 17 birthday was also a Leo.
Plaintiff Girard Street Investment Holdings LLC's lawyer from Steptoe & Johnson asked for time to file opposition, noting a planned vacation with his wife.
Judge Rakoff asked how long he has been married, and when told 22 years noted that he and his wife are approaching their 50th, and jokingly referred to legal slavery and the 13th Amendment.
He ended by saying, of Inner City Press, I see my favorite reporter is here, he'll have to determine is my jokes are bad jokes or sick jokes (it sounded like). Definitely not the later, and only sometimes (intentionally) corny.
The case is Girard Street Investment Holdings LLC v. Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. et al., 23-cv-10772 (Rakoff)
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