Recently in People and Events Category

Years ago — before the John Edwards trial began — the former Senator from North Carolina came across as a likeable guy.

Despite his wealthy trial lawyer lifestyle, he seemed relatable. (His boyish good looks and Southern drawl probably helped). More importantly, Americans sympathized with John and Elizabeth Edwards as Elizabeth bravely battled cancer through two presidential campaign cycles.

Then we learned about Rielle Hunter.

Supreme Court litigants rarely obtain celebrity status after decisions are rendered. Norma McCorvey, better known as Jane Roe, is probably the most famous former litigant because she switched sides and became a pro-life advocate in 1995. Most people don't know that Brown v. Board of Education plaintiff Oliver Brown was a welder, or that Ernesto Miranda died after a bar fight. Winners typically slip from their Supreme Court victories back into their normal lives.

California attorney Steve Filarsky, however, managed to extend his Supreme Court fame for a few extra minutes.

What do Johnny Knoxville and Justice Antonin Scalia have in common? One's a Jackass, and the other's a ... distinguished jurist. But they share a birthday! And since we were playing kickball yesterday while Justice Scalia was celebrating his 76th birthday, we're celebrating Nino a day late with our favorite Justice Scalia quotes from concurring and dissenting opinions.

(Though Justice Scalia is known for his colorful writing, his majority opinions must reflect the Court's official position. When he's not writing for the Court, Scalia really lets us know how he feels.)

Let's get this belated party started. On to the list.

In Portlandia, Fred Armisen’s hilarious series about Oregon’s most famous city, Armisen claims that the dream of the ’90s is alive in Portland. He supports this theory with statements like, “Portland is where young people go to retire,” and “In Portland, you don't have to [give up clowning.]”

Similarly, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia claims that the dream of the lawyer work-life balance is alive in Cleveland.

For those of you who want to be a Supreme Court Justice when you grow up, Justice Scalia suggests following his path: Go to Jones Day in Cleveland, work less, become involved in your community, and get a Supreme Court nod. Easy as pie.

Justice Stephen Breyer was robbed at his home on the West Indies island of Nevis around 9:00 p.m. last Thursday night, reports the Associated Press. The robber, armed with a machete, took approximately $1,000 in cash from Breyer, his wife, Joanna, and their guests. No one was injured.

Breyer is not the first Supreme crime victim. In the last 20 years, Justice David Souter was attacked while jogging in Washington, D.C., and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was the victim of a purse-snatching, according to the AP.

Since Valentine's Day is near, (and we're in the middle of the Supreme Court recess), we're shifting our focus today from Supreme Court arguments to Supreme Court weddings.

Last summer, we told you that Justice Stephen Breyer officiated at former Congressman Patrick Kennedy's wedding to school teacher Amy Petitgout. Now, David Lat at Above the Law reports that Justice Elena Kagan has jumped on the wedding-officiant bandwagon -- or is a horse-drawn carriage in these situations? -- uniting Columbia Law professor Philip Bobbitt in matrimony with Columbia 3L Maya Ondalikoglu.

We’ve never subscribed to the grown-up version of Valentine’s Day; it strikes us as insincere. Instead, we've always preferred the childhood version of the holiday: showering friends with silly sentiments, (e.g. Justin Bieber valentines), and candy.

In that spirit of appreciating friendship -- and because the Supreme Court is away at winter recess -- today we're looking at the most unlikely friends on the Court: Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia.

Perhaps Oklahoma is peeved that the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the state's anti-Sharia law, a state constitutional amendment that prevents Oklahoma state courts from considering or using Sharia law in decisions.

Or, maybe the legislature is trying to take its cues from Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. Either way, Oklahoma does not seem to be a fan of federal appellate courts.

Now, Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shortey of Oklahoma City is ready to stop the federal courts from second-guessing the will of the people. His solution? A constitutional amendment that would deny the Nine Supreme Court judicial review of Oklahoma laws, according to The Daily O'Collegian.

Lawyers are bound by the courts. We may disagree with judges, but we respect their decisions. If we fail to do so, we can be fined, or even jailed.

But is the President of the United States bound by the same limitations as mere mortal lawyers? Not according to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. In fact, Gingrich claims that the POTUS can simply "ignore" a Supreme Court decision that he deems "fundamentally wrong."

Justice Thurgood Marshall was a party pooper. Or perhaps a Scrooge or a Grinch, if you're looking to describe him within the holiday vernacular.

Apparently, the revered Justice Marshall, intent on keeping church and state apart, declined the annual invitation to the Supreme Court Christmas Recess Party.

That's right, we said Christmas. And we meant it. While most government offices -- and private sector offices, for that matter -- enjoy a "holiday party" at the end of the year, the Supreme Court holds a Christmas Recess Party.