> The government’s understaffing and high caseload is a problem of its own making and absolutely does not justify flagrant disobedience of court orders

Amen!

I once made a criminal complaint because of a sewer line that was frequently allowed to overflow into a creek. The prosecutor refused to prosecute the case with the argument that the root cause was "real estate pressure" and so the county (that licenses and taxes any new construction) and the sewage operator (that coercively charges anyone that can physically connect) couldn't possibly be blamed.

Iirc this is an attorney who cannot quit his job because he’s actually a military lawyer, and subject to military law (quitting is a dereliction of duty and comes with criminal consequences). It’s likely he was voluntold and is now stuck in an unwinnable situation.

Trick is to not get into the unwinnable situation. I think the correct response is to not shield clients from blame when they refuse or are unable to comply with court orders and throw them under the bus. Which is what Julie Le did when she informed the court the violation was intentional, and was fired for.

"Julie Le, was removed from her post in Minnesota after she told Judge Jerry Blackwell the violations were the result of both a personnel shortage and lackluster procedures intended to ensure orders are followed." “And, yes, procedure in place right now sucks. I’m trying to fix it,” she said. “The system sucks. This job sucks.”

If he's held in contempt, it's an excuse to stop doing the things he probably personally disagrees with anyway (since the government is essentially a rogue actor). At least the poor overworked soul will get some rest

He's not going to get any rest, he is just being fined $500 per day until the petitioner's personal effects are returned to him. His caseload hasn't changed.