Ten Baylor Law Graduates Admitted to Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States

November 13, 2014
SCOTUS Law School

Front Row (L to R): Judge Rebecca Simmons (J.D. ?80), Billy Davis (J.D. ?76), Dean Brad Toben (J.D. ?77), Judge Ken Starr, Dean Leah Witcher Teague (J.D. ?85), Bill Brian (JD ?74). Back Row (L to R): Glenn Callison (J.D. ?88), Judge Robin Darr (J.D. ?82), Bill Gooding (J.D. ?75), Richard Butler (J.D. ?77), Joe Coleman (J.D. ?57), Steve Wisch (J.D. ?77), and Mike Lindsay (J.D. ?76).

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Media contact: Eric M. Eckert, (254) 710-1964

WACO, Texas (Nov. 13, 2014) – Ten Baylor University Law School graduates traveled this week to Washington, D.C., where they were admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court after being sworn in by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.

The lawyers now have the privilege of being allowed to argue cases before the Court.

Those admitted were Richard Butler (J.D. ’77), Glenn Callison (J.D. ’88), Joe Coleman (J.D. ’57), Judge Robin Darr (J.D. ’82), Billy Davis (J.D. ’76), Bill Gooding (J.D. ’75), Mike Lindsay (J.D. ’76), Judge Rebecca Simmons (J.D. ’80), Dean Leah Witcher Teague (J.D. ’85) and Steve Wisch (J.D. ’77). Bill Brian (J.D. ’74), current Baylor Lawyer of the Year, also attended the event. Brian has previously been admitted to the Supreme Court.

The lawyers and guests traveled to Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, as guests of Baylor University President and Chancellor Ken Starr, his wife Alice, Brad Toben, J.D., dean of Baylor Law School, and Leah Witcher Teague, J.D., associate dean of the Law School.

“We are deeply grateful to Judge Ken and Alice Starr for leading our Baylor Law group through Washington, D.C., and through the Supreme Court of the United States. It was a high honor for all who were involved,” Toben said.

The trip began with a dinner with U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards and his wife, Lea Ann, followed by an exclusive tour of the United States Capitol.

On Monday, Nov. 10, the Starrs led the Baylor Law group through the Supreme Court, where they had the honor of meeting Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Judge Starr then moved the admission of the group, and Chief Justice Roberts swore in the Baylor lawyers. The group then enjoyed hearing two cases argued before the Court.

Baylor Law School hosts the Supreme Court trip biennially for distinguished Baylor Lawyers and guests. This year marked Baylor Law’s fourth trip to the Supreme Court.
For more information, contact Berkley Knas, director of alumni relations for Baylor Law School, at Berkley_Knas@baylor.edu.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT BAYLOR LAW SCHOOL
Established in 1857, Baylor Law School was the first law school in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school has more than 7,000 living alumni. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Baylor Law School has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. The Law School boasts two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature, among its notable alumni. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program as the third best in the nation. Baylor Law School is also ranked No. 51 in the magazine’s 2015 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law in its top 10 law schools for practical training, and second best value in private legal education in the nation. The Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Learn more at www.baylor.edu/law.