judge shop

or judge-shop

[ juhj shop ]

verb (used without object)

, Law.

1. to file a lawsuit in a district where the case will be assigned to a judge who is likely to find in your favor: Compare forum shop ( def ).

   The defense argued that the plaintiff had judge shopped by filing in several jurisdictions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of judge shop¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Because, as we’ve explained in a series of law review articles, the rules for assigning cases there allow plaintiffs to judge shop.

From Slate

But according to legal experts, the opportunity to judge shop in Texas is unique because of just how many single-judge divisions there are, most of them in rural, heavily Republican areas.

From Washington Post

"If there wasn't at least the potential to judge shop why on g_d's green earth would Trump have gone all the way to her district to file and do so physically, when he could have electronically filed at the court in his backyard?" wondered former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Mueller's team.

From Salon

Trump’s lawyers are objecting to Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron’s continued involvement and accused Attorney General Letitia James’ office of attempting to “judge shop” because, in paperwork seeking assignment of a judge, it noted Engoron’s knowledge of the case and linked the lawsuit and subpoena disputes as “related” matters.

From Washington Times

Trump’s lawyers are objecting to Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron’s continued involvement and accused Attorney General Letitia James’ office of attempting to “judge shop” because, in paperwork seeking assignment of a judge, it noted Engoron’s knowledge of the case and linked the lawsuit and subpoena disputes as “related” matters.

From Seattle Times