*Note: 2019 registration has closed.*
In-Person Event
2019 U.S. Supreme Court Trip
Become part of history when you take your oath before the U.S. Supreme Court as a new member of the bar!
The ABA Senior Lawyers Division is a proud sponsor of the U.S. Supreme Court Trip for more than 20 years. Join hundreds of other ABA members admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar through this unique opportunity.
Lawyers who are not members of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar may apply. You must have an active state license for at least three consecutive years, a certificate of good standing, and statements from two sponsors. ABA membership is not required. Read about 2018's exciting US Supreme Court trip, and you can read about the 2017 trip here.
Our 2019 trip includes dinner for admittees and their guests, an orientation session, breakfast, admission ceremony, photo session with a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, reception at the courthouse, and a souvenir.
The cost for registration is $750 and includes all activies listed above. This also includes the $200 bar application fee for the Court. Applicants may choose to register a guest for all included activities for an additional $250.
Be sure to read all the instructions and download the application materials before you register for the event.
Schedule of Events
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Dress: Business Casual
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET | Sign In & Registration Desk
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET | Orientation Session & Speaker
- 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM ET | Dinner
- 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM ET | Movie Screening
Monday, June 3, 2019
Dress: Business Formal
- 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM ET | Breakfast
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET | Group Admissions - Supreme Court
- 8:00 AM ET - Arrive at Court
- 10:00 AM ET - Ceremony
- 11:00 AM ET - Group Photos & Luncheon
- 12:00 PM - Leave Court
- 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET | Tour of Library of Congress (with a brief introduction to Law Library)
Please note: Schedule subject to change. The registration fee includes admission to these scheduled events. *Bar admittees are required to attend.
Application for Admission: Instructions, Requirements, and Documents
Please download and review the application instructions and example application prior to completing your application.
The instructions differ on this webpage from the one found on the website of the Supreme Court of the United States. The ABA Senior Lawyers Division is assigned a specific deadline by the Supreme Court's Bar Admissions Office for submitting original forms, certificates, and checks for the lawyers to be admitted.
All signatures must be original. The Court will not accept any electronic signatures. We suggest that you order your Certificate of Good Standing shortly after registering online since it may take a few days or weeks to receive.
Documents to Download:
Guests & Guest Policy
New admittees are allowed 1 guest to accompany them. Attendees who have already been admitted to the bar are not entitled to a guest.
There is a $250 fee for the guest in addition to the registration cost for an
Please note that although the Court allows for a guest, the Court's capacity can change without warning depending on conditions at the Court that day. In the event that the courtroom is at capacity, we cannot guarantee the guest's attendance at the ceremony. All guests will be able to get
Application Sponsors
In the event you are unable to provide a sponsor, we suggest searching www.lawyers.com for the names of lawyers you know in your community, place of worship, through practice, law school, social events, in a government office, etc. who are members of the U. S. Supreme Court Bar.
ABA Staff members are not allowed to assist you with finding a sponsor to sign the bar application.
Lodging
Discover Washington, DC, from the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Enjoy easy access to the attractions of our nation's capital from the ideal downtown location. Walk to the Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian, and the National Mall, monuments and memorials — all are just minutes from our Washington DC hotel.
For our group, we have a block of hotel rooms at a discounted rate at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The group rate will be held until the reservation deadline or until the room block is exhausted. Room
If you are planning on staying at the Hyatt, please use this unique link to make your reservation: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASRW/G-ABA9. Any special needs should be communicated directly to hotel staff when making your hotel reservation.
The deadline to make a reservation within the room block is May 10, 2019.
Cancellation Policy
A $200 cancellation fee will be charged for each lawyer canceling. The guest registration cancellation fee is $100 per guest. Cancellation fees will be deducted from the amount paid if the applicant fails to submit the bar application with signatures from two sponsors who are members of the US Supreme Court Bar or the bar applicant or a guest becomes unavailable to attend.
Courthouse Rules & Dress Code
The Court does not allow cameras, suitcases, large purses, or large bags in the courthouse. Cell phones are not permitted in the courtroom. You may leave small items and your cell phones in our reception room until the conclusion of the Court session.
Division staff will be attending the Court proceedings and will not be available to watch items left in this room. Items left in this room are in a secure area away from the general public and the courtroom.
Dress Code
The Court’s guidelines for attire include suits or
Learn more on the Visitors' FAQ Page of the U.S. Supreme Court.
F. A. Q.
I'm having trouble registering. Who should I contact?
For assistance with registering, please call the ABA Service Center at (800) 285-2221.
Do I need to fill in the "motion for admission" section on the application?
No, you will be admitted in open court. You can leave this spot blank.
Am I able to submit my application materials electronically?
No. The Court requires original signatures for all application documents.
Please mail your completed application with original signatures as well as your Certificate of Good Standing to:
Lexie Heinemann
ABA Senior Lawyers Division
321 N. Clark Street, Fl 18
Chicago, IL 60654
When are application materials due?
All materials must be received by the ABA by Friday, April 12, 2019.
Are any discounts available?
Discounted or prorated registration fees are not available. The paid registration fee guarantees a bar admission slot for lawyers. Lawyers and each paid guest will have guaranteed seating during the bar admission ceremony and access to all U.S. Supreme Court Trip social events.
Is there a waitlist?
A waitlist will be maintained for bar admission slots after the original 25 slots are filled. A bar admission slot is not guaranteed unless one becomes available. Staff will contact each name on the waitlist regarding availability.
Can registration slots be held?
We are unable to hold slots for lawyers who are unsure if they want to pay the registration fee, attend the bar admission ceremony in person or who do not have two sponsors willing to sign the bar application.
Who can I contact with questions?
Questions can be directed to ABA staff:
Program Associate, [email protected]
Division Director, Emily.Roschek.americanbar.org
Event Leadership
Co-Chairs
Charles A. Collier, Jr.
Louise Pomeroy Dempsey
Vice Chair
John M. Vittone
Movant
Marvin S.C. Dang
Senior Lawyers Division Staff
Emily Roschek
Director, Senior Lawyers Division
(312) 988-5692
[email protected]
Lexie Heinemann
Program Associate, Senior Lawyers Division
[email protected]