Judge Jed Rakoff discusses new book about how to fix a broken legal system Judge Jed Rakoff. Photo from the Washington Post via Getty Images. Jed Rakoff tells me that he has “the world’s greatest job.” Lucky for him, he can have it for life. Rakoff’s good fortune is to be a U.S. district judge. Next month, he’ll celebrate his 25th year at it. The jurist for the Southern District of New York attributes his enjoyment to whom he represents. “I cannot tell you how satisfying it is,” he says, “to have the rule of law as your client.”