Some women tend to sell themselves short. I’ve only ever had women say to me, ‘I could never argue in the Supreme Court!’ Do you think a man has ever said that to me? Of course not. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
I’ve learned that the Court will continue to change the meaning of the Constitution. Although all of the Justices have expressed the importance of judicial restraint, the Court inevitably makes new law every time it interprets the Constitution. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
The Courtroom is a battlefield, and oral argument requires a fair amount of verbal jousting and sparring with the Justices. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
That’s the best part of being in private practice, by the way: being able to say whatever I want. In the government I couldn’t talk to reporters and couldn’t speak to the public, and now I just feel free. I have a First Amendment right again, and I exercise it daily. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
For me, it’s all about channeling the mistakes I’ve made and just saying all the things I wish somebody had said to me. I say to boys as much as girls: You’ve got to hold your chest high, and no matter what, you don’t let the other side intimidate you. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
It’s a zero sum game: the Court either expands individual rights or expands the government’s right to regulate individuals. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
But the Supreme Court does not make sweeping changes in constitutional law by accident, or by its own design. Rather, the Court is limited to deciding the cases that the parties ask the Court to decide. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
I don’t think anyone would describe me as an understated advocate. Several people have told me my argument style is very direct and very blunt, which I find mystifying. How could you ever be anything but direct and blunt? Lisa Blatt Read Quote
In terms of style, the best advocates are relaxed, clear, in control, and confident. They embrace the hard questions with gusto. But no matter how hard you prepare, it’s impossible to prepare for every conceivable question. Lisa Blatt Read Quote
