Gavel to Gavel: A little respect, please

Shrouded in secrecy, filled with centuries-old traditions, an elite group meets to discuss the fate of the free world. No, they’re not the comic book heroes of the Justice League – though, perhaps, an apropos reference. I’m referring to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Between Obama-mania and congressional midterm elections, this third branch of the federal government gets little attention.

Paparazzi snap photos of a swimsuit-clad President Obama vacationing on the beach, and a media frenzy ensues. Something tells me that similar shots featuring newly approved Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan wouldn’t elicit a similar response.

Though not the most photogenic, the Supreme Court is definitely the least understood, which might just make it the most interesting branch of government. For any doubters, here’s a list of 10 facts that render the Supreme Court worthy of interest:

• William Taft, the 27th president of the United States, is the only person to have served in the White House and on the Supreme Court. Beat that resume!

• The first chief justice of the Supreme Court was paid $4,000 annually; today that figure is $223,500. Not bad for hearing less than 100 cases a year.

• Proving its position as least-valued branch of government, the Supreme Court met in various places until 1929, when Chief Justice William Taft (see No. 1) persuaded Congress to authorize construction of a permanent home.

• George Washington wins for most Supreme Court justices appointed (11). Only Franklin Roosevelt came close, when he appointed nine justices – ensuring passage of the New Deal.

• Jimmy Carter is the only president to serve a full term without nominating a Supreme Court justice. Despite this honor, his name will likely remain associated with the Iran Hostage Crisis.

• William Douglas is the longest-serving justice, clocking bench time of 36 years, seven months and eight days. With just five months and 14 days, John Rutledge served the shortest period.

• Unlike Law & Order, where court begins with, “All rise for the Honorable…,” Supreme Court cases begin with, “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!” (OH’-yez) – meaning, to hear – as the standard invocation.

• Following English tradition, justices wore white powdered wigs in the early years. Thomas Jefferson turned the court against this trend when he compared the look to “…rats peeping through bunches of oakum.”

• The president of the United States has the right to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. The last to do so was Richard Nixon (Time Inc. v. Hill). He lost. Is there a correlation between Nixon’s eventual impeachment proceedings and his being the last president to exercise this power?

• Roe v. Wade has perhaps more name recognition than any Supreme Court case. However, it’s a little-known fact that plaintiff “Jane Roe” used a false name to protect her identity. Norma McCorvey – her real name – didn’t have quite the same ring.

Despite intrigue, tradition and shared traits with comic book heroes, the Supreme Court remains largely unnoticed, save for the occasional nomination or resignation. Could this column be the spark that – at long last – ignites renewed interest in and appreciation for the oft-forgotten third branch?

Perhaps The Supremes had the same thing in mind, when they beseeched, “All I’m asking, for a little respect when you come home… sock it to me, sock it to me.”

Tom Wolfe is a civil litigator who serves as president and managing partner of Phillips Murrah PC in Oklahoma City. While away at trial, Tom’s daughter Jamie, a journalism student at Georgetown University, writes this column.