Circuit Clerks article

U.S. Courts News has Longtime Clerks Recall ‘Seismic Shift’ in Appellate Courts

Michael Gans, of the Eighth Circuit, is the longest-serving clerk of court for a federal court of appeals.

“I often say that if you could bring someone from the clerk’s office in 1920 into the same office in 1985, they would be able to sit down and do the job. But somebody who worked here in 2000 would not be able to do the work today.” Gans was promoted to clerk of court in August 1991, and with 32 years of service, he is the nation’s longest-tenured clerk of court for a federal court of appeals.

• The federal law governing appellate clerks of courts was passed in 1948. However, such positions have existed since 1891, when Congress established the modern appellate system
• Clerks of appellate courts are both managers and lawyers. In addition to maintaining records and managing administrative staff, they make legal decisions on many procedural matters.
• Each appellate court has its own history and culture.

Blumberg Law has Biden’s Bipartisan Appellate Nominees Attract GOP Scrutiny

Law360 has 'I'm Not An Ordinary Litigant': Solicitor General On Role, Goals -- U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar spoke at the Sixth Circuit's conference about the high bar that comes with her position and spoke on the weight of being the second woman to hold the job.

When asked for advice on how to be an effective oral advocate, Prelogar said lawyers have a wide variety of courtroom styles — those who are animated and warm, and those who are calm and take the temperature of a room down. "I've seen great heaters and great coolers," she said. "You need to be true to yourself as an advocate. You can't adopt a persona. Oral argument is truth serum. When you're up there getting grilled by nine justices, the real you has to come out."