What is placed on attorneys' desks when the United States Supreme Court is in session?
The United States Supreme Court upholds traditions both big and small. One small, but sweet, tradition is placing a set of two white goose-feather pens on the desks of attorneys during oral arguments.
The practice dates back to Chief Justice John Marshall, (September 24, 1755 – July 6, 1835), who in the early 1800s provided lawyers with quill pens and inkwells to make notes.
Presently, the quills are treasured as mementos among lawyers, with only about 650 sets given out each term.
Lawyers will often share them with colleagues or clients who also worked on the cases but didn’t get the chance to argue before the highest United States court.
More Info:
www.supremecourt.gov
What are your thoughts on this subject?
3 Comments
Nancy Chisholm
The writers of the constitution did their best to emphasize the SEPARATION of church and state....a fact SADLY IGNORED by a majority of the current Supreme Court
Pat Salloum
As a nod to the past, a quill pen is an interesting amenity but of little practical use, and I don't suppose the lawyers get to keep the quills.
Denise Currie
Went with majority vote and was wrong