The Supremes

On October 16, 2006, I arrived at the side entrance to the United States Supreme Court. I must tell you that I was in total awe and felt like a teen at a Britney Spears concert. As you pass the US Supreme Court the back side has engraved; "Justice, the Guardian of Freedom" and the front with the engraved "Equal Justice for All". Pretty powerful words that are sometimes lost in the hustle and bustle of things.

After going through security all candidates were taken to a waiting room where the paintings of John Jay (1st Chief of the Supremes) hung in total reverence over a fireplace. The coffee and the Supreme Court tasted like it was brewed in heaven.

Finally, everyone was again march through security (sign of the times) and proceeded to the Court itself. I sat between the Union County Prosecutor, Theodore Romankow and his executive assistant Prosecutor, Robert O'Leary. In front of us were a group from the Kansas City Bar Association and a family of nine from New York; the Schneider Family.

The Justices came out from behind a curtain like a rock concert. It was nothing like I have every experienced before in my career. The clerk shouted ; "Oyez, Oyez Oyez, (from the centuries that Anglo-Norman or "law French" was the language of English courts, the word for "Hear ye!" survives), Steady-voiced, the Crier continues: "All persons having business before the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!"

The Chief Justice, John G. Roberts, calls the calendar. Prior to moving our group from the Union County Bar Association in as candidates permitted to argue before the Supreme Court, the Chief was introduced to nin (9) members fo the same family from New York. Including: Mother, father, sons, daughter and a grandchild. All attorneys and all admitted to practice law. The entire court perked up at the request. The Chief then asked the family (the Schneider family), "You mean to tell me that not one of you wanted to be a doctor?" The entire court erupted in laughter. Chief Justice Roberts does have a way of making the experience lighter.

It was time for our group to come forward and we were introduced one at a time. Our presented Marc Brown, Esq., relayed to the Court that each candidate possessed the necessary requirements and were of good moral character. The Chief Justice accepted the motion and all candidates were sworn into the United States Supreme Court. I am now permitted to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court.

It was an absolute honor to be in this Court and not one I will forget anytime soon. If you are ever in Washington DC, I encourage you to visit the United States Supreme Court. It is truly an experience that you will remember.

John