My former boss, Judge Kozinski, is becoming the Ninth Circuit's Chief Judge this Dec. 1. "The chief judge of the circuit assumes the position based on seniority. The chief judge is the judge in regular active service who is senior in commission of those judges who are (1) 64 years of age or under; (2) have served for one year or more as a circuit judge; and (3) have not served previously as chief judge. Judge Kozinski also believes that looks count, though he can provide no support for that proposition."

Judge Kozinski is sentenced to serve a seven-year term, or 84 months, as we former federal clerks like to say.