Roberts Wants Less Talk. Supreme Court Attorneys Disagree.

Joe Palmore spoke with Law360 about the U.S. Supreme Court’s current oral argument format as Chief Justice John Roberts considers whether increasingly lengthy sessions should be shortened. Many Supreme Court advocates favor the post-pandemic structure, which combines open questioning with a seriatim round that ensures each justice has an opportunity to ask questions. Joe highlighted Justice Clarence Thomas’ increased participation, noting that his questions can reveal perspectives advocates might not otherwise encounter. “He often has very good, insightful questions and different takes on cases,” Joe said, adding that previously, “we wouldn't find out about those views until a separate opinion appeared.”

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