by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
Please join us in congratulating four First Liberty attorneys who were admitted and sworn into the U.S. Supreme Bar this week:
Their swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday, Dec. 3, shortly before First Liberty presented oral argument before the Justices in our case involving Mississippi evangelist Gabe Olivier.
Admittance into the Supreme Court Bar is among the highest distinctions in the legal profession. Attorneys admitted are eligible to argue before the highest court in the country, widely considered to be a lifetime honor and a responsibility bestowed to the nation’s elite litigators.
Alongside First Liberty attorneys, our friend Jonathan Saenz—President of Texas Values—was also sworn in on the same day. First Liberty and Texas Values share a common history. Jonathan worked as an attorney at First Liberty before launching Texas Values in 2012, an organization that advocates for faith, family and freedom through public policy, grassroots mobilization and standing for the truth in media.
From left to right: Kelly Shackelford, Nathan Shackelford, Erin Smith, Becky Dummermuth, Jonathan Saenz
Why Is It Called The “Bar?”
The term “bar” hearkens back to our court system’s descent from English common law. In Britain, legal professionals are called “barristers,” and they’re called to the “bar” to advocate for their clients.
Today, America’s legal system continues using the term “bar” to refer to the railing or barrier in courtrooms that separates the court’s working area—including the tables for the attorneys, the judge’s bench, witness box, jury seats and the court reporter’s station—from the public seating section.
Phrases like “passing the bar” or “admitted to the bar” are used to describe when an attorney fulfills all the requirements to practice law in a specific jurisdiction, such as a state.
This means that attorneys earn the right to step beyond the “bar” or physical barrier in order to conduct business before the court, setting lawyers apart from spectators in the courtroom.
Whether it’s being admitted to the Supreme Court Bar, arguing a case at the highest levels in our federal court system, serving in strategic and influential positions within the federal government, or being appointed as a federal judge for life, members of our legal team are being called to serve and make an impact at the highest level.
“On behalf of everyone at First Liberty, we extend our congratulations to Becky, Erin, Holly and Nathan for this tremendous accomplishment,” said First Liberty Vice President of Legal Services & Senior Counsel David Hacker.
“They are all exceptional attorneys with the passion, experience and legal acumen that’s needed when defending our clients and fighting major cases for the religious liberty of all Americans. We are honored to have them on our team.”
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