Have you ever heard of the U.S. Supreme Court justices giving a lawyer a standing ovation?
The rare spectacle happened last week in Washington, as Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler, a 1974 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, completed his 160th – and final – oral argument before the high court. It was a remarkable close to a 50-year career as a “citizen lawyer.”
After he rested his case April 23, Chief Justice John Roberts asked Kneedler to rise.
“You have just presented your 160th argument before this court, and I understand it is intended to be your last,” Roberts said.
“That is the record for modern times,” Roberts continued. “You have carried out your responsibilities with extraordinary care and professionalism, conscious of your role not only as an advocate, but also as an officer of this court.”
President Jim Ryan, right, presents Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Law in the Rotunda Dome Room on April 11. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Roberts recalled that before he was on the court, he and Kneedler “argued on the same side here, me representing a private client and you the United States. We lost each of those cases. I’m sure it was my fault, Mr. Kneedler.”
Roberts closed with gratitude, saying, “Thank you for your outstanding service to court and country.”
Soon, Kneedler was no longer standing alone. Applause filled the courtroom gallery as people rose to their feet – followed by the justices.
“I’m both not aware of anyone in recent history getting a standing ovation from the court and think Ed was entirely deserving of one,” said Xiao Wang, the director of the Law School’s Supreme Court Litigation Clinic. “He’s going to be missed.”
