by Kaitlin Gorman (PA)

At this year’s NCACC conference, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag of Kansas delivered a lively overview of the Supreme Court of the United States. His handout summarized the October 2024 Term and previewed the October 2025 Term. I will be keeping an eye out for Gallette v. New Jersey Transit Corp., No. 24-1021, as it comes from my home state of Pennsylvania. His remarks, however, focused more on the Court’s operations than on the cases themselves.

Attorney Maag explained that the Supreme Court’s term runs from the first Monday in October until the Sunday before the following October. At its busiest in the mid-twentieth century, the Court heard about 250 cases per year; today the number is closer to 60, with nearly half decided unanimously. He also shared history and anecdotes, noting that John Tucker was the Court’s first Clerk and that, while there have since been 20 clerks, none have been women. In a fun fact worthy of Jeopardy!, Attorney Maag shared that until President Johnson’s inauguration the Clerk held the Bible during the presidential oath, a tradition passed to the First Lady. Drawing on his own appearances before the Court, Maag described practical reminders from the Clerk, such as always addressing the Chief Justice as “Chief Justice” and not “Justice.” He also recounted a lighthearted moment when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg gently redirected a lawyer who had been looking at the wrong Justice by saying, “I’m over here.”  Attorney Maag closed by acknowledging the essential work of the Clerk’s office at the Supreme Court and at every stage leading up to it.

His presentation was both informative and entertaining, offering a memorable look at the traditions, procedures, and quirks that make the Supreme Court what it is today.