Standing before the highest court in the land takes an exceptional lawyer with a unique set of skills. At Brownstone Law, we have represented numerous clients at the Supreme Court of the United States. Based on our experiences, there are several qualities that define the best Supreme Court lawyer.
In this article, we will explore the key attributes that separate elite Supreme Court advocates from others, including experience, thorough preparation, strong communication abilities, and certain personality traits. Understanding what it takes to be the best Supreme Court lawyer can provide useful insights for both legal professionals and the public.
Preparation is Paramount
While experience helps, the best Supreme Court advocates also dedicate themselves to exhaustive preparation for every case. They leave no stone unturned in researching each Justice’s past opinions, questions, and concerns. Our best Supreme Court lawyers spend weeks poring over briefs, lower court rulings, and all case documents to gain an encyclopaedic understanding of the legal issues.
Role-playing moot courts help anticipate potential lines of questioning and formulate concise, thorough answers. Preparation even extends to practising delivery and maintaining eye contact in the imposing Court chamber. Those who put in this level of preparation demonstrate their commitment and are able to discuss the most complex legal issues with mastery during high-stakes oral arguments.
Experience is Key
One of the most important qualities of a top Supreme Court lawyer is extensive experience arguing before the Court. Justices expect advocates coming before them to be well-versed in the intricacies of Supreme Court practice. Lawyers with multiple high court arguments under their belt have demonstrated mastery of the specific procedural rules and oral advocacy style required.
They also have a firm grasp of how different Justices typically approach cases. Repeated exposure to the Supreme Court allows lawyers to feel comfortable in the intimidating setting and maximise their opportunities to effectively convey their client’s position. At Brownstone Law, our partners have decades of collective experience with dozens of Supreme Court victories between them.
Communication is Key
Effective communication skills are another hallmark of elite Supreme Court advocates. The ability to clearly and concisely convey complex legal arguments in plain language is paramount. Our top lawyers have refined their oral advocacy into a conversational style to engage the Justices. They are able to field unanticipated questions thoughtfully and maintain their composure under pressure. Persuasive delivery and a firm command of the facts demonstrate confidence without arrogance.
Body language, tone of voice, eye contact and rhetorical flourishes also factor into leaving the desired impression. Similarly, concise writing is key, as Justices must wade through thousands of pages of legal briefs. The best communicators connect with the Court through diverse modalities in a way that promotes understanding and recollection of their client’s position.
Certain Personality Traits Help
Underlying the experience, preparation and communication of elite Supreme Court advocates are beneficial personality traits and interpersonal skills. Our leading lawyers have tremendous focus but also flexibility when faced with unexpected issues. They maintain optimism even when the questions seem negative yet honestly address the Court’s concerns. Collegiality aids discussion while confidence supports credibility.
The very best Supreme Court attorneys possess an ability to both empathise with the opposing viewpoint yet passionately believe in their client’s perspective. Strategic thinking allows them to think several steps ahead during arguments. At Brownstone Law, partners also demonstrate integrity, diligence and care for each client, making former adversaries into future allies. These characteristics help build trust with the Court over a career.
Keys to Success
There are several keys that successful best Supreme Court lawyers focus on to achieve the qualities outlined above. Continuous learning is essential – our top lawyers remain devoted students of the law by closely tracking Court opinions and dockets. They also take opportunities to teach and mentor junior colleagues, enhancing their own expertise. Another focus is maintaining strong relationships with other elite practitioners through organisations like the Supreme Court bar.
Camaraderie and friendly rivalries help advocates test ideas and push each other to excel. Our attorneys also give back to the profession through organisations that provide pro bono representation, paying forward the assistance they received earlier in their careers. Finally, despite heavy workloads, top lawyers make time for self-care like exercise and spending quality hours with families. This helps them avoid burnout and remain fresh, even on the toughest of cases.
Case Study: Brown v. Board of Education
One of the most famous Supreme Court cases exemplifying the qualities of a premier advocate was Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. Lead attorney Thurgood Marshall, later the first Black Supreme Court Justice, brought unparalleled experience from his work with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He spent over two years thoroughly preparing social science evidence and rehearsing arguments against segregation.
Before the Court, Marshall masterfully yet respectfully conveyed how separate schools damaged Black children with segregation’s message of racial inferiority. His communication skills helped the previously conservative Chief Justice Earl Warren join the unanimous opinion declaring separate education “inherently unequal.” Marshall also demonstrated perseverance, optimism, and compassion throughout the decade-long legal campaign, helping overturn the racist Plessy v. Ferguson precedent.
Developing Your Skills
Aspiring Supreme Court lawyers should focus on laying strong foundations in experience, skills, and character through various avenues. Clinical programs, appellate advocacy competitions, and assisting established counsel allows exposure to cutting-edge legal issues. Clerking with federal judges gives insider understanding of judicial viewpoints. Our attorneys also recommend joining selective organisations such as the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers to build invaluable referral networks.
Pro bono work increases advocacy hours while aiding underserved groups. For aspiring in-house counsel, focusing on an agency or topic area of the law deepens subject-matter expertise. Ultimately, developing a professional reputation for excellence, integrity, and collegiality helps one’s name rise to the top of the list when a precedent-setting case calls for the finest representation.
Final Opinion
Standing out as the best Supreme Court lawyer stems from acquired experience as well as consistently outstanding preparation, communication, and certain innate traits. While rare to possess every attribute, focusing professional development on these core areas can help other legal advocates advance their Supreme Court practices over the long term.
Here at Brownstone Law, our team of elite advocates continues striving every day to effectively represent clients before our nation’s highest Court through mastery of these crucial qualities.