On the morning of Nov. 12, I had the privilege and honor of being motioned to be admitted to the highest court in our land.
Being admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar means an attorney has met specific qualifications, including being in good standing with a state’s highest court for at least three years, to be eligible to practice before the Supreme Court.
This admission allows a lawyer to file petitions, represent clients in arguments and take on cases at the federal level, though many do not argue cases but have the “privilege of the Bar.”
No electronic devices, particularly video recording devices, were allowed to protect the solemnity and the decorum of the proceedings and, due to the government shutdown, we could not even linger in the amazingly decorated halls.
The swearing-in ceremony was brief, beautiful and poignant.
We began promptly at 10 a.m. when the motion for persons to be admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar was called up by Chief Justice John Roberts.
When I raised my right hand and said the following oath, I felt the power of tradition, the awesome responsibility and the deep honor and respect to be admitted to the highest court in the land:
“I solemnly swear that as an attorney and counselor that I will conduct myself uprightly and according to law and that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America.”
Iana Benjamin is a civilian legal assistance attorney in the Department of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps.