Argument Quote by Donald Verrilli Jr
“The part that the public sees is the arguments up at the podium and the briefs that we file. But a significant part of the job - in fact, I'd say I spend more of my time on this part of the job, which is deciding what the position of the United States will be in the cases that we're going to be participating in before the court.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at the American Bar Association, 2015
The visible work of a lawyer is only a fraction; the real influence is shaping the nation’s legal stance before cases are heard.
In simple terms: Lawyers do more than argue; they set policy.
Focus on strategic positioning.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court preparation
- policy advising
- government negotiations
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shaping policy differ from courtroom advocacy?
- What ethical limits exist in influencing national positions?
Strategic decisions can be constrained by political realities.