Five years ago I dove into the Delaware legal system to research -- it ended up being a package of articles in CFO Magazine -- on Chancellor William Chandler and Judge Strine, and on how the Delaware court worked, along with what its motivations were.I was extremely impressed, not only with the clarity of both judges in pointing to the direction of likely rulings in the future -- a future in which shareholders would slowing gain more power through the legal system -- but with their openness, and their willingness to share their own personalities.

Neither balked at talking about the power of personal judicial style in the courtroom, for example. And, especially in Judge Strine's case, the role of bench-bound humor. (He did, however, seem offended by Example: In one case I sat through while reporting the story, Judge Strine commented that a lawyer's argument was beyond his ken. The he added, "or my Barbie, because I don't want to be gender insensitive." Lame? You be the judge.)

In 40 years of covering business, I found the two judges among the best interviews I've been privileged to conduct. Now, . It's lucky to have him.

But the Times profile of Chancellor Strine clearly shows that this particular court continues to head in a productive direction for Corporate America.

Just be ready for a few labored laughs along the way.