Lawyers Serve As ‘Backboard’ to Judges’ Debate, Chief Justice Tells Moot Court
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. let students into a little secret when he presided over a moot court hearing yesterday at Columbia Law School: Lawyers in oral arguments are really just a catalyst for a debate among judges.
“You may have thought we were being a little rude in stepping over each other’s questions; let me assure you that is exactly how it looks in the real world,” Roberts said, according to an account of his remarks by the Associated Press. “Because, quite often, the judges are debating among themselves, really, and just using the lawyers as a backboard.”
The New York Sun reported that Roberts, who appeared with three judges from the federal appeals courts, was especially well-received. “One of the lesser-known perks of being chief justice of the United States was on display yesterday: People laughed heartily at each amusing remark he uttered,” the newspaper said.
The audience laughed at least four times at Roberts’ remarks, while the other judges “failed to elicit a single chuckle” from an audience in a packed auditorium.
The winner of the competition was Christopher Hogan, who graduates in May and is planning to work as a clerk for a judge in Texas.
