Judge Howard DeWitt is a formidable presence on the 2nd Circuit bench, known for his rigid adherence to legal precedent and a courtroom demeanor that leaves little room for theatrics. A former prosecutor and general counsel to a major New York City agency, DeWitt’s rise through the ranks of the legal establishment has been marked by his encyclopedic grasp of regulatory law and an unshakable belief in institutional continuity. Raised in a middle-class Queens household, he pursued an elite legal education before returning to serve the very systems he once navigated as an ambitious student. His strategic mind and no-nonsense style make him a favorite among those who prioritize order and executive discretion. While not overtly political, DeWitt’s rulings consistently reflect a center-right, institutionalist philosophy, reinforcing the strength of administrative bodies over judicial activism. At home, he lives a quiet life in Manhattan with his wife, a retired appellate attorney. Despite his public sternness, he has a deep love for constitutional scholarship and spends his evenings reading dissents from landmark cases. DeWitt is deeply motivated by maintaining the integrity and authority of the judicial branch, fearing most the erosion of its control and stability in the face of populist upheaval.