National Jurist - September 2007 - (Page 29)

from chambers, followed by a call from Jesus, whom I informed that PIO regrettably doesn’t have a divine fax machine; returning to the Congressional aide, then to a walk-in journalist, who entered the office with a member of the public, also needing assistance. The aide, Jesus and journalist together took about four minutes, while the member of the public… thirty minutes. Which normally would be fine. I genuinely enjoyed working with the public - those folks are thoughtful and curious, appreciably so. But this woman, a teacher, probably 45 years old, spent 30 minutes explaining her affection for Flat Stanley and what the thing means to her students. (Apparently, K-6 kids read a book about Flat before making paper cutouts of the fictitious character, and documenting where he visits.) “Flat visited Congress,” she tells me. “Flat visited the White House.” “Flat visited the Vietnam Wall.” Flat will not make it outta’ PIO in one piece. At any rate, I realized then that patience and prudence are the currency of public relations. And realized that if I should have only 30 minutes to live, I would spend them listening to Flat Stanley stories, because only Flat Stanley stories could make 30 minutes seem like an eternity. way: “Hey baby.” Looking back, remembering Angie and so many others, I recognize that I made good friends at the Court. But trust me when I say that I arrived adrift in uncertainty. Among other things, I figured my coworkers would be pretentious. I mean, why not? They work at the Supreme Court of the United States. But my coworkers, including the justices, were personable and pleasant. Their self-effacing manner and modesty were refreshing, complemented by good senses of humor and reputations for reliability. Any and all work would be done efficiently and precisely, and no work was below anyone. Still, everyone has a boss and every organization has its hierarchy, and I’d the Great Hall, a public lobby that frames the entrance to the courtroom. No exaggeration, he didn’t draw one knowing glance from Read Jon’s update on the the hundred or so Supreme Court every month people gathered to at www.nationaljurist.com. tour the building. Sure, a couple tourists smiled, but it was the kind my friends flash when I attempt a joke: kind and clueless. The Place The edifice exudes power, prestige and permanence, with its majestic columns, ornate doors and expansive plaza. It literally (and figuratively) overlooks the Capitol and gazes toward the White House, blocks away. The interior is similarly impressive and sometimes surprising – the chambers are as unique as each justice (desert southwest to art deco, for example), and there’s a basPeters ketball court on the top floor. Meanwhile, the heart of the law beats in the courtroom below, accelerated by the imposing, elevated bench and the royal-red curtains, whose scale matches the matters at hand. To watch oral arguments and to witness the Court’s time-honored traditions is a humbling experience. I observed the Anna Nicole Smith proceedings, in which attorneys for both parties seemingly were interrupted every 25 seconds, their arguments sliced, diced and distilled by the justices. Cracks in logic quickly became canyons. I felt hooked. Mesmerized. Fascinated. But above all, I felt honored and humbled to be a participant in the process, however distant and modest my role. Indeed, serving at the Supreme Court of the United States, at the pleasure of the Public Information Officer, was a seismic experience that shook the foundation of my perspective, ultimately propelling me forward. Eh, if nothing else, maybe that explains my barreling into Justice Alito… “To watch oral arguments and to witness the Court’s time-honored traditions is a humbling experience.” — Jon wager that few bosses could focus one’s attention like a justice. Whenever my desk-phone caller ID read, “Chambers,” I would search my mind for a task neglected or a mistake made. But invariably the Robe was cordial, professional and unassuming, just making a routine request or asking to speak with my supervisor, the Public Information Officer. Likewise, one of the questions most commonly asked of me: Did you actually meet the justices? Some of them, yes – Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Breyer, Alito and O’Connor. Good people, all of them, and very likable. After all, it may be the highest tribunal in the land, but these are real men and women (now woman), not disembodied spirits. Interestingly, the Justices are fairly anonymous to the public. Following an in-house filming, I walked with Justice Breyer to his chambers and passed through The People Early in my first week, I ventured to the public cafeteria for breakfast. It’s located on the first floor and is the venue du jour for most employees, even for some justices when they lunch with clerks. I strolled toward the counter and a grandmotherly woman, her voice raspy, says, “Hey baby.” Hey baby? Not even I’m vain enough to think she’s hitting on me… “What can I get you?” she asks. “How about a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich?” “No problem.” That was the first of probably 50 bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches Angie served me during my internship. She was unfailingly generous, chatty and funny. And each morning she greeted me the same Jon Peters, Student Editor of The National Jurist, is a first year at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. E-mail him at peters.401@osu.edu September 2007 THE NATIONAL JURIST 29 http://www.nationaljurist.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - September 2007

National Jurist - September 2007 Contents Free Speech Disturbing the Peace For the Record Judge Approves $49 million BAR/BRI Settlement Law School Causes Emotional Stress, Study Finds New Textbook Breaks the Mold Southern Illinois Settles Lawsuit with Christian Legal Society Ave Maria Law Professors Protest School’s Move The Firm Report Student Hoax Shuts Down Hastings Law NCCU Grad Expands Her Program for Troubled Kids Hawaii Grad Finds Excitement in Saving Whales Diversity Hampering Whittier Accreditation? The Paper Chase Chronicles The Supreme Court: An Insider’s View Detroit Mercy’s Innovative Changes Pay Off Career Hotline The J.D. Files

National Jurist - September 2007

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