Months before his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, John Roberts was already being touted as the next justice. At that point Roberts was a newish member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. But before that, he had been one of the most talented advocates among the elite Supreme Court bar, leading Hogan & Hartson’s appellate practice and serving in the solicitor general’s office.
E. Barrett Prettyman Jr., a Hogan partner, spoke admiringly—and presciently—about him in an article by our colleague Tony Mauro about Roberts’ high court prospects. “He respects the court greatly and would not ignore precedent,” Prettyman said. “But if there’s a loophole or distinguishing factor, he’ll find it.”
