Students at the University Law School had the privilege of hearing the presentation of oral arguments to the U.S. Court of Appeals to the Federal Circuit in the Caplin Auditorium Tuesday.
Cases are usually heard in Washington, D.C.; however, the court is permitted to hear cases at other places throughout the country, generally at law schools.
Teri Johnson, the events coordinator for the Law School, said the members of Court "were invited by Dean Jeffries to hear oral arguments for four cases, and they put U.Va. on their calendar."
The cases heard were two patent cases, a case concerning whether a pet treat trademark can be registered and case involving a retired firefighter who is seeking better benefits.
"It was a great opportunity for students to witness the court in action," Johnson said.
Over 400 people came to the hearings, which were open to students and the public. Audience members were allowed to filter in out of Caplin, choosing which cases to hear.
Three third-year Law students, Tom Chen, Kathy Radd and Mahlet Getachew were chosen by Law School professors to serve as escorts to the visiting justices. Their duties included meeting the justices and ushering them to the robing room and a private dinner in the Dome room.
"All the cases were interesting and really entertaining," Chen said. "It was evident that they were asking serious questions but also having fun."
Chen added that at several points the auditorium was full of laughter.
Chen also said he valued the opportunity to dine with Judge Diaz, who he will be clerking with upon his graduation from the Law School.
"It was great to get to talk to the judges on a more personal level," Ren said. "They were all very down to earth."
"It was particularly great to sit down [over dinner] with practicing attorneys, all sitting together discussing their roles in the legal system," Radd added.
Radd was said she even more enthused because she is "interested in patent law, and these three judges on the panel are particularly important to [her] field."
Many of the judges have had some involvement with the University over the years. Chief Justice Michel earned his J.D. from the Law School in 1966. Judge Randall R. Rader, who Radd said "was particularly entertaining," taught at the Law School from 1993 to 1999.
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