The Role of Oral Argument at the U.S. Supreme Court-- A View From the Podium

This article has offered survey results of the attitudes of lawyers who have made oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court. Respondents generally approve of the current process, find the justices relatively well prepared, and the questions generally useful. At the same time, they express some uncertainty about whether the oral argument phase had any impact in their particular cases. By and large, they take as a given, the important function of oral argument as a supplement to the written brief.