Ride the Lightning

Chief Justice Roberts Addresses The Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference

July 1, 2013

I have never had the privilege of hearing United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speak, so that was a memorable moment of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, where I was kindly invited as the President of the Virginia State Bar.

I enjoyed the three days of collegiality and education, but looked forward especially to the Chief’s remarks. He is a warm and witty man. As he noted, this year’s crop of Supreme Court opinions must speak for themselves as he cannot speak about them “…which makes me wonder why all of you are here.”

He noted that 45 cases are set for argument for the court’s next session beginning on the first Monday in October. He made us laugh again when he noted that none of those cases are from the 4^th Circuit “…so keep up the good work.”

An audience member asked about tips for handling hot questions from the Supreme Court Justices. With customary modesty, he told a story on himself. He had three Justices ask questions without a pause. He had logged all three questions mentallyand proceeded to answer the third one first, then the second one and finally said, “Justice Stevens, I didn’t get to answer your question.” Stevens smiled.At that point, Roberts realized he no longer had any idea what that first question was and had to confess as much. Stevens stopped smiling. Happens to us all, including future Chief Justices.

Sharon the Eternally Absent-Minded enjoyed that story very much.