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Some Sketches of Justice Breyer

A week ago Justice Stephen Breyer announced that he would be retiring from the Court later this term at the beginning of the summer recess. He will be missed, if not most of all then certainly to a great degree, by the sketch artists. He animates the bench with an extensive vocabulary of hand gestures and body language that makes it easy to tell a visual story, and his interminable hypotheticals allow ample time to capture the moment on paper.

Here are some sketches of Justice Breyer, chosen mostly at random not because of their historical significance but because they are the least bad drawings ( I always found it a challenge to limn this justice’s likeness ).

Charles J. Cooper, representing Senator Cruz, responds to Justice Breyer

Same -sex marriage argument, Hollingsworth v. Perry

Second amendment argument, DC v. Heller

Justice Breyer’s arm is in a sling under his robe after a bicycle fall

Justices Breyer & Scalia

Justice Breyer announces opinion in Aereo.

Justice Breyer with opinion of the Court on recess appointments.

Justice Breyer with opinion in Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission

Justice Breyer opinions in Venezuela v. Helmerich & Payne, and BOA v. Miami

Justice Breyer with opinion in Turner v. U.S.

Justice Breyer questions repondent’s lawyer, Kelsi B. Corkran.

Justice Breyer questions Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey B. Wall

Justice Breyer with opinion in Lagos v. United States

Justice Breyer dissents inTrump v. Hawaii

Justice Thomas with opinion in NIFLA v. Becerra ( Justice Breyer, right, dissents ).

Justice Breyer dissents in Nielsen v. Preap

Justoce Breyer with opinion in Merck Sharp & Dohme v. Albrecht

Justice Breyer’s cell phone rings during arguments in Bristol-Myers Squibb

The End Is Nigh . . .

. . . for a most unusual SCOTUS term. And, while I hate to admit it, it’s been kinda fun sketching at home from photos of lawyers arguing their case in more casual settings. It will be interesting to return to the courtroom, as expected, in the fall.

Here are the last sketches from this term, April’s arguments plus the one in early May. I’ll probably do a couple more banners between now and when the last opinion is announced. That’s it, I hope, till October in-person.

Amy M. Saharia for petitioners

Jeffrey Fisher, joined by students from Stanford’s Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, arguing on behalf of Michael Gary.

Daniel L. Geyser for petitioners

Robert N. Hochman for petitioner

Matthew M. Wolf for respondents

Aimee A. Feinberg, California Deputy Solicitor General

Derek L. Shafer for petitioners

 

Bradley N. Garcia, appointed by the Court

Peter D. Keisler for petitioners

Matthew W. Morrison for private respondents

Lisa S. Blatt for petitioner

Jeremy M. Feigenbaum, New Jersey State Solicitor

Andrew L. Adler for petitioner

The justices, all now fully vaccinated, recently sat for an official portrait. The SCOTUSblog banner above was based on that photo. Interestingly another photo taken at the same time shows a wider view of the room including a portrait of Chief Justice Roger Taney, author of the infamous Dred Scott opinion. I originally had included the Taney portrait — see below — but was persuaded that it might be confusing.

SCOTUS March Madness

Late as lately usual, here are some sketches from the March arguments which continue to be heard remotely by telephone. Just in time for the April sitting beginning Monday.

Joshua P. Thompson for petitioners

California Solicitor General Michael J. Mongan

Eric R. Henkel, appointed by the Court

Shay Dvoretzky for petitioner

Kannon K. Shanmugam for petitioners

Samuel Issacharoff for respondent

Jeffery L. Kessler for respondents

 

 

 

Very Few February Sketches

Other than the Arizona voting case it was a pretty quiet calendar for the SCOTUS February sitting. This month will be pretty much the same, but April looks to pick up the pace. And I’m getting fat and lazy.

Neal K. Katyal for respondent

David J. Zimmer for respondent

Jeffrey Fisher, with law students, arguing for petitioner

Samuel T. Harbourt, California Deputy Solicitor General

Amanda K. Rice, Court-appointed amicus in support of judgement below

Mark A. Perry arguing for Smith & Nephew, Inc. in Arthrex

Jessica R. Amunson for repondent Secretary Hobbs

Sarah M. Harris for petitioners