8 Adventist Attorneys Admitted to the Bar of U.S. Supreme Court

Story by Adventist Review and Adventist News Network

The U.S. Supreme Court recently admitted eight Seventh-day Adventist attorneys–five of them from the Columbia Union Conference territory–as members to the bar.

General Counsel, Karnik Doukmetzian sponsored their admission and officially moved the names during the ceremony and Chief Justice John Roberts admitted the attorneys. Those admitted were Harold Cleveland Jr., a member of Allegheny West Conference; Allison Dichoso, a member of Pennsylvania Conference; Theodore Flo, a member of Potomac Conference; Maria McPhaull and Josue Pierra, members of Allegheny East Conference; Meredith Jobe, Leesa Thomas and Jesus Uriarte, Adventist members outside the Columbia Union.

Admission to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court is significant for a several reasons: it is recognition that these lawyers have achieved the competence and experience to allow them to practice—to argue cases—before the Supreme Court. Rules of the Supreme Court specify that at least one member of any legal team arguing a Supreme Court case must be a member of its bar. 

In addition to being able to argue cases before the Supreme Court, membership in the Supreme Court bar allows lawyers who are admitted before the court to access limited seating for those wishing to personally attend a Supreme Court hearing. While the general public waits in relatively long lines to be seated as places are available, bar members are seated in a preferred area directly behind the attorneys arguing the case. Members of the Supreme Court Bar are also provided access to the court’s library for research and study. 

Following the ceremony, the Adventist attorneys were able remain in the courtroom to hear a case being argued that morning before the full Supreme Court. The day also included a lite breakfast and lecture about the Court and its history. 

“The event was a great opportunity for Adventist attorneys from across the U.S. to connect with one another while sharing in a milestone together in being admitted as members of the legal fraternity of the highest court in the land,” concluded Doukmetzian. 

This article originally appeared on Adventist Review and Adventist News Network.