Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>>Erik: You`ve had an opportunity to argue an appeal in front of Judge Sonia Sotemayor
here in NYC. What was the greatest takeaway from that experience?
>>Julia: It`s very nerve racking to argue appeals. I`ve only argued one at my old job.
At that point it was 2005. There are three appeal judges who are equally awe inspiring.
They sit atop this great big dais. They wear these elaborate robes. The lighting on them
is dramatic. They cut you off in the middle of your argument and ask you these questions.
You can spend a year preparing for these questions. Who wants to be the dodo who canÕt answer
the question. It was a great experience. She`s a very smart, amazing judge. In fact, I lost
the appeal. It was an appeal on a trial. Jury had returned a conviction. The government
judge decided to throw out the case. The government appealed, which rarely happens, and she decided
in my favor. The other two judges nixed it. So now it is on appeal to the Supreme Court
so maybe we will see her again.