The upcoming term of the U.S. Supreme Court is notable for the high number of first-time advocates who have been given the opportunity to argue their cases before the high court. Included in this wave of newcomers is the solo practitioner Howard Bashman. Prior to this, Bashman had resigned himself to the possibility of never fulfilling his ambition to argue before the Supreme Court.
However, in a surprising development, the justices agreed in March to hear a case pertaining to admiralty law, which allowed Bashman the chance to fulfill his goal. The case in question centers around a point of contention involving choice-of-law provisions. Specifically, Bashman is representing a yacht owner who is disputing the rejection of an insurance claim.
This case, like others on the docket, underscores the increasingly diverse range of legal practitioners who are gaining the opportunity to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. Historically dominated by a small, elite group of attorneys, this shift marks a significant change in the courtroom dynamics.
Further details on this case and others on the Supreme Court’s fall schedule can be obtained from this Law360 report.