One of my fantasies failed to materialize: I had hoped that, over the course of the last couple months, some judge would demand that I appear in court on May 31st. “Sorry judge,” I was prepared to say, ” I already have an appearance that day. In front of the Untied States Supreme Court.”
When the opportunity presented itself about two years ago for a group of us to go down to 1 First Street in Washington, DC and be sworn in to the nations’ highest court, I said yes.
Why? I hadn’t figured that part out yet. But I just assumed that over the course of the ensuing two years I would come up with a good excuse for this road trip.
I have no case pending with constitutional questions that would require it. I have no reason to think such a case will come my way (unless I get sued again for defamation on such brand new theory, that no one ever has ever tried before, which less likely than getting struck by lightning).
So why am I doing it?
Probably for the thrill of it since I can’t seem to rationalize it any other way. Other than, to perhaps, think that one day I will look back at this as one of the good old days, as I’ll have one of my rug rats with me to watch.
You do it because it is a very cool thing to do.
Yeah, that is pretty much why I’m doing it. Also, I hope it will be a cool experience for my kid who will be with me.
You’re doing it because it’s a thing that law nerds do.
Lisa Solomon, SCOTUS 2005
Congratulations – that’s very cool! And how great that you’re taking your son. I went when my dad was admitted in 1997 (and I was still in college). Our firm actually had a case vs. General Motors being heard by the court. Laurence Tribe argued the case for us. Ken Starr signed the brief for GM, but Paul Cappuccio argued at the Court. An incredible experience, even for an observer! Enjoy it!!
And how great that you’re taking your son.
Son? Who said son?
My bad – you said “one of my rug rats” – gender neutral. I obviously read too quickly and my brain had inserted “son” by the time I started typing my comment. Apologies. Boy, girl, or actual “rug rat,” how great that your rug rat gets to share in the experience. I certainly enjoyed seeing my dad sworn in!
Nice. The one and only bar admission where you can be assured that your argument will have no impact whatsoever on the Court’s decision.
Hold out hope for an appearance! A few terms ago, a $100k car accident settlement made its way up there, as part of an ERISA reimbursement issue. (Can you imagine the sheer misery of being in a $100k case that was litigated so thoroughly it made it to SCOTUS? I’m pretty sure the copying/printing costs of the many briefs at every level exceeded the total attorney’s fee.)
A few terms ago, a $100k car accident settlement made its way up there, as part of an ERISA reimbursement issue.
And that would be the last thing I would want to argue.
Now give me a nice, sexy First Amendment case to sink my chops into….hopefully not pro se.
See if you can get a rise out of Clarence Thomas. Or, for that matter, any evidence of his conscious involvement.
If for no other reason, the SCOTUS admission certificate is very good looking and it really impresses clients.
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