By Jeff Overley (December 9, 2023, 12:07 AM EST) — A former BigLaw partner in his 30s made history by joining a preeminent circuit court, a former BigLaw partner in his 50s made waves by leaving the largest circuit, and a former chemist in her 90s made enemies by resisting a probe on the most specialized circuit. That’s a small sample of the intrigue that flourished in 2023 throughout the federal appellate system, where diversity bloomed and controversy abounded….