Judge Vaughn Walker fast-tracks Perry v. Schwarzenneger, seeks to create a record for the U.S. Supreme Court; intervenor attorney Chuck Cooper

On July 2nd, Judge Vaughn Walker held a case management conference for Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al. (N.D.Cal. 3:09-cv-02292, filed May 22, 2009). Here are press reports on the hearing.

07/06/09 Recorder (source: ADF Alliance Alert):

Whatever Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker winds up deciding on Proposition 8, it's clear he wants an airtight trial record to support it. Holding his first hearing Thursday on the controversial measure that outlawed same-sex marriage, Walker repeatedly stressed the importance of establishing a record that will stand the test of time.

07/03/09 San Jose Mercury News:

Walker, toward the end of a 50-minute hearing in a packed courtroom, ordered the parties to file by Aug. 7 joint or separate case-management proposals laying out the facts that they agree are already settled, the facts that still need to be tried and a road map on how best to proceed. The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19 ... "This case is only touching down in this court ... and this is only a prelude to what's going to happen later," the judge said, adding he and the attorneys must strive to make as complete a factual record as possible for the higher courts to review.

The Mercury News also reports on Chuck Cooper, one of the attorneys representing the official Prop. 8 proponents:

Cooper — among the nation's most renowned civil litigators and with several Supreme Court arguments under his belt — was a Reagan Administration assistant attorney general who worked alongside John Roberts and Samuel Alito, now the chief justice and an associate justice, respectively.

07/02/09 Reuters (source: ADF Alliance Alert):

"I'm reasonably sure given the issues involved and the personalities in this courtroom this case is only touching down in this court," Walker said. "It will have a life after this court."