Recently, I had a once-in-a-lifetime professional experience; I was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. The ABA Senior Lawyers Division annually hosts a US Supreme Court swearing-in trip. As chair of the ABA Young Lawyers Division, I was invited to join this year. The ABA brought together 42 attorneys from across the United States, representing a litany of jurisdictions, practice areas, and ages. Throughout our two-day trip, I had an opportunity to meet and speak with some of my colleagues and learn more about why they sought to be admitted and how they felt about the experience overall. The background and diversity of the group was remarkable. I spoke with:
In speaking with this group, I asked them why they sought admission to the US Supreme Court Bar and what value they gained. Overwhelmingly, the group regarded this opportunity as one of their highest professional achievements. For Ana Sambold, “Becoming admitted to the United States Supreme Court was a dream come true and the highest honor of my professional journey. . . it symbolized the crowning achievement of my legal career and the recognition of my dedication and years of service to the legal profession.”
For Tom Vogele, this experience meant “achieving a milestone that I’ve always dreamed of.” Kerline Jean-Louis stated, “Admission is an opportunity to better serve clients . . . provid(ing) comprehensive representation from trial through final appeal.” Stephanie Snow valued “access to a network of esteemed colleagues and legal scholars.”
Our group was admitted on June 6, 2024. We arrived at the Supreme Court quite early in the morning, prepared to go through several rounds of security. After doing so, we gathered in a large conference room for breakfast. Chief Justice Roberts greeted our group and provided a warm welcome and brief remarks. Eventually, we filed into the courtroom and awaited the justices. The session began with the Court releasing three opinions.
In the first decision, Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co., Justice Sotomayor announced the Court’s decision. The Court held that an insurer with financial responsibility for a bankruptcy claim is a “party in interest” able to object to a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.
Next, Justice Thomas delivered the Court’s decision in Connelly v. United States, holding that a corporation’s contractual obligation to redeem shares is not necessarily a liability that reduces a corporation’s value for purposes of the federal estate tax.
Chief Justice Roberts delivered the Court’s 5–4 decision in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe, holding that the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act requires Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay the contract support costs that a tribe incurs when it collects and spends program income to further the functions, services, activities, and programs transferred to it from IHS in a self-determination contract.
After issuing its decisions, the Court then addressed motions for admission. The ABA, along with three other groups, sought admission. As each group’s movant announced each applicant for admission, the applicant would stand. In total, 135 attorneys sought admission. In the end, Chief Justice Roberts granted each motion, and all applicants were sworn in together.
I can only describe the experience as surreal. As you stand in the presence of history, its majesty overwhelms you. The moment served as an emotional and palpable reminder of my immense pride and gratitude for being part of the legal profession and my urgent sense of responsibility to uplift the profession. Tom described it simply as “truly magical.”
Ana detailed the experience as “profoundly moving and incredibly exciting. Standing in the courtroom, surrounded by the nine justices and my fellow attorneys, I felt a deep sense of pride and responsibility . . . It was a moment that underscored the honor and privilege of being part of a profession that plays such a critical role in upholding the rule of law and justice in our society.”
I encourage all attorneys, especially young and new lawyers, to pursue their admission to the US Supreme Court Bar. While your practice may never bring you to the well of the Court, all attorneys should have the opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
I am immensely grateful to have had this experience alongside my ABA colleagues. Being a part of the ABA has afforded me countless opportunities that have enhanced my life and opened doors. My professional journey has been forever enriched because of the home I found in the ABA.
