From the Archives: Interview with the Hon. T. Rawles Jones, Jr.

On the occasion of his retirement, Judge Jones was kind enough to tell us a little about himself in the form of a Proust Questionnaire.  We take this opportunity to thank Judge Jones for his good judgment, his hard work, and his commitment to getting it right. We will miss his dry sense of humor, modest manner, and southern graciousness, and hope to see him back on the bench as often as possible.

United States Magistrate Judge T. Rawles Jones, Jr., with his Judicial Assistant, Pat Jordan-Campbell.

Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice of all time (and why)?
Lewis Powell. In addition to being a native of Suffolk, Virginia, he admirably assumed the role of the justice he replaced, Hugo Black, as a centrist who could be a realist without being an activist. And when, as in Hardwick, he thought he’d missed that mark, he could admit it.

What is the achievement of which you are most proud?
Consistently trying to apply the Bail Reform Act [unconditional or conditional release, or temporary or pre-trial detention?] and Fed. R. Civ. P. 1 [the Federal Rules “should be construed and administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action”] and 26(b)(1) [the scope of discovery includes “any non-privileged matter that is relevant”] as written.

What is your favorite new music?
Rach Two and Three, or Florence and the Machine.

What movie did you most recently see in a theater (and did you enjoy it)?
The Imitation Game. Superb.

What is the quality you most admire in others?
Integrity.

What is your most recent luxury or indulgence?
A bottle of Cragganmore.

What is the last book you read for pleasure (and did you enjoy it)?
The Boys in the Boat. Yes.

What is the best advice you ever received?
Some people just aren’t going to like you, and you can’t make them.

What will you say for yourself at the pearly gates?
I tried to do the best I could with what I had.

What is your most treasured possession?
My relationship with my family.

What is your favorite city to visit (and why)?
New York. So much to do and so easy to get to.

When is the last time you traveled by train?
To New York to see a show last year.

What is the last museum you visited?
The Phillips Collection to see “Made in the USA.”

What is your greatest pet peeve?
Dan Snyder, or poor situational awareness. Come to think about it.....