Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2019/Candidates/Newyorkbrad/Statement

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Newyorkbrad[edit]

I am standing as a candidate to return as a member of the Arbitration Committee.

As many of you know, I've served several prior terms on the ArbCom. I was a member from 2008 to 2014, and again in 2017 and 2018, making me one of the two longest-serving arbitrators in the Committee's history. I voluntarily retired as an arb in 2014 and again in 2018. Both times, I thought I had made my contributions, and that it was time to move on and allow others to serve. For the same reasons, I was not planning to run again this year. However, within the past few weeks, several editors I respect have suggested that I should consider becoming a candidate this year, in light of the unusually high number of seats to be filled in this election and the events of the past few months. After much thought, I've decided to give the community the choice.

Frankly, the march of time since I became an editor in 2006, an administrator in 2007, and an arbitrator in 2008 remains astonishing to me. Subjectively, it doesn't feel like all that long ago since I was a fresh-faced, independent-minded newcomer, yet the calendar tells me I've become very much of an old-timer here. My goal, if elected, would be to rekindle and combine the advantages of both perspectives.

Off-wiki, I'm a lawyer in New York. In addition to Wikipedia, my hobbies include researching and writing about legal history and detective fiction, chairing the Wolfe Pack, and contributing to the FictionMags index.

Editors who have followed ArbCom's activities in the past will have a pretty good idea what you can expect from me if I'm elected again. I look forward to answering questions. Thanks for your consideration.

Disclosures: I'm already identified to the Foundation (and the general public) and will abide by the nonpublic information policy, including signing the confidentiality agreement again if required. I've had no other accounts besides this one.