New Year, Old Faces at U.S. Supreme Court in January Arguments

Several advocates return to the Supreme Court for the court’s January sitting, after years-long stints away from the lectern or new roles in private practice.

Thirteen veterans and six first-timers will argue before the justices in the sitting that began on Jan.7 and runs through the 19th.

Graphic: Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Industry Group

Scott Keller, of the newly formed firm Lehotsky Keller, returned to the courtroom in his first appearance since leaving the Texas Solicitor General’s Office. He represented businesses on Jan. 7 challenging the Biden administration’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for healthcare and other workers.

Latham’s Melissa Arbus Sherry will make her first argument since departing the U.S. Solicitor General’s Office in 2014, in a Jan. 12 tax case. Sherry is one of four women who will argue in January, alongside 21 men.

Returning after longer absences away from the court are David Boies, chair of Boies Schiller, who will argue Jan. 18 in a dispute over suits against foreign sovereigns, and the Liberty Counsel’s Mathew D. Staver, who will argue a religious case the same day. Boies last argued in 2014 and Staver in 2004. Boies represented Al Gore in the Bush v. Gore decision that settled the 2000 presidential election.

Among those who’ve made their debuts this month are three state attorneys. Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers joined Keller in challenging the vaccine mandate, while Missouri Deputy SG Jesus Osete challenged it for healthcare workers. Florida SG Henry Whitaker argued on Jan. 10 a separate healthcare dispute, Gallardo v. Marstiller.