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PBS News Hour Interviews Neal Katyal on Arguing Supreme Court Cases Over the Phone

PBS News Hour Interviews Neal Katyal on Arguing Supreme Court Cases Over the Phone

Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells US was interviewed by PBS News for his experience this past year making oral arguments to the Supreme Court of the United States over the phone. Katyal, the former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, focuses on appellate and complex litigation. He has orally argued over 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.  

From the transcript: 

Well, I think one of the skills that you learn over time is, you really learn body language, down to where their finger is put on their cheek or something like that. 

Now, of course, we have no vision at all. It is just oral and audio. In real life, or even on Skype, I can at least look at you and see, are you zoning out? Do you look satisfied with my answer? On the phone, it's impossible. We don't get that just very simple level of feedback.” 

Access the video and full transcript here.  

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