Nick Rekieta's Criticism of the LawTube Top Ten Award Committee Results in Apology and Reforms

The LawTube OG forced the LawTube Top 10 Award Committee to reconsider its award revocation and inspired the formation of the Rekieta Commission to study the LawTube community's longterm viability.

Last night the LawTube Top 10 Award Committee held an emergency meeting to discuss Nick Rekieta’s commentary on their decision to remove a winner for their courtroom behavior. After the committee was made aware of an incident involving one of the 2022 winners and out of an abundance of caution they decided to revoke the award.¹ This decision sparked outrage online and resulted in several of the judges receiving death threats. The following decisions came out of the meeting:

• Issue an apology to DUIGuy+ for its rush to judgment

• Replace LawTube Top 10 with the LawTube Top 100 and allow for self-identification on the LawTube Top 100

• Formation of the Rekieta Commission to study the long-term viability of the LawTube community after the conclusion of the Depp vs. Heard trial

APOLOGY

When the committee was made aware that one of their winners made an outburst while seated in the gallery of the Depp vs. Heard trial possibly violating the judge’s order they decided to act quickly. Their decision to act quickly was to protect the LawTube community but in hindsight, the committee has determined they acted too hastily relying on evidence presented by individuals who did not disclose their various conflicts of interest. Upon review of additional evidence, the committee determined that its decision to revoke DUIGuy+’s award was not warranted.

During their emergency meeting the committee watched various versions of the incident similar to the one below:

The committee reviewed courtroom layouts and came to the conclusion that it isn’t clear that the jury could have seen the DUIGuy’s reaction much less have been influenced by it.

Furthermore, it is clear that the DUIGuy’s reaction was not unique as it was shared by a majority of those people in the courtroom including Heard’s lawyer. The committee would like to formally apologize to DUIGuy for its rush to judgment.

INCLUSION & EQUITY

The LawTube Top 10 was created to celebrate the lawtube community by recognizing the very best lawtubers. Unfortunately by only recognizing the Top 10 the award created division within the LawTube community. Many lawtubers were angry they weren’t included, fans were frustrated their favorite lawtubers didn’t make the list, and some winners were concerned that their inclusion on the list might anger their peers.

After reflection, the committee has decided to replace the LawTube Top 10 with the more inclusive LawTube Top 100. Additionally, inclusion in the LawTube Top 100 will be exclusively through self-identification. Any lawtuber who believes they are among the Top 100 members of the LawTube community can simply identify as a member. Conversely, any lawtuber who does not want to be included in the Top 100 can identify as a non-member of the LawTube 100. The goal of the LawTube 100 is to maximize inclusion and equity in the LawTube community.

REKIETA COMMISSION

Finally, the award committee voted to disband and replace itself with the ‘Rekieta Commission’. The commission was formed to study concerns expressed by Nick Rekieta about the long-term viability of the LawTube community following the end of the Depp vs. Heard trial. Upon conclusion of its study, the commission will publish the ‘Rekieta Report’ to the LawTube community.

CONCLUSION

The birth of new communities can be messy. In an effort to honor the work of lawyers streaming high-profile trials, like Depp vs. Heard, the award committee unintentionally created division and drama. For that, the committee offers its heartfelt apology. Hopefully, the elimination of the exclusive LawTube Top 10 in favor of an inclusive LawTube Top 100 will promote equity within the LawTube community. Finally, Nick Rekieta deserves much of the credit for the elimination of the LawTube Top 10, the creation of LawTube Top 100, the formation of the Rekieta Commission, and the eventual publication of the Rekieta Report - for that we offer our sincere thanks.

1. LawTube: Top 10 Lawyer Livestreams to Watch Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard Trial [UPDATED]