[johndhi]

Technically I'd say administrative law judges are a lower rung than US Magistrates, but yes, fair enough.

To be clear, though, Grewal was a magistrate in one of the most important districts (Northern District of California) on some of the most important cases in history.

[iudqnolq]

Good points. I'm not sure if this is right but I wasn't thinking of ALJs as being in the "federal system", which I admit isn't a precise term.

In terms of distinguished prior careers I'd say that's less than plenty of current lawyers though. One example could be Neal Katyal, who has agued all kinds of shit before the supreme court.

[johndhi]

Imo Katyal wouldn't meet the same stakes I'm suggesting are present for Grewal.

Katyal is famous for being an advocate at the highest level - arguing zealously for his clients in high stakes scenarios. Grewal is different: he is famous for being a neutral third party (a judge) in high stakes scenarios. Judges are respected in a different way from lawyers. They're expected to be above reproach, basically. And now one is arguing on behalf of Coinbase.