Judges are allowed to needle lawyers. But that’s pretty much a one-way street.

That’s why some patent lawyers have been scratching their heads over the pointed criticisms of a Texas judge in an appellate brief written by one of the biggest-name patent lawyers, Matthew Powers of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. And the question is, will it make the Eastern District of Texas, with its tight-knit judiciary, an unfriendly place for the Redwood Shores attorney in the future?