The National Law Journal Features Partner Sam Hirsch in Article about Amicus Briefs
News
September 5, 2023
The National Law Journal turned to Partner Sam Hirsch for his insights about amicus briefs that make an impact on the US Supreme Court. Along with Partner Jessie Amunson and Associate Mary Marshall, Sam wrote an amicus brief in Allen v. Milligan, in which the state of Alabama argued that it did not have to create a second majority-Black district to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Sam explained to The NLJ that the Jenner team collaborated with computational redistricting experts to break down the complex methods of how computer software generates electoral maps. When the Court rejected Alabama’s argument in June, Chief Justice John Roberts’s majority opinion relied heavily on the brief.
“Amicus curiae is Latin for ‘friend of the court,’ so actually try to be helpful to the court,” Sam suggested. “You may have strong views, as I did in this case and my clients did in this case, as to who should prevail. But the point is that you’re not there really advocating on behalf of a party. You’re trying to help the court to deal with very complex and especially significant matters.”
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
September 5, 2023
The National Law Journal turned to Partner Sam Hirsch for his insights about amicus briefs that make an impact on the US Supreme Court. Along with Partner Jessie Amunson and Associate Mary Marshall, Sam wrote an amicus brief in Allen v. Milligan, in which the state of Alabama argued that it did not have to create a second majority-Black district to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Sam explained to The NLJ that the Jenner team collaborated with computational redistricting experts to break down the complex methods of how computer software generates electoral maps. When the Court rejected Alabama’s argument in June, Chief Justice John Roberts’s majority opinion relied heavily on the brief.
“Amicus curiae is Latin for ‘friend of the court,’ so actually try to be helpful to the court,” Sam suggested. “You may have strong views, as I did in this case and my clients did in this case, as to who should prevail. But the point is that you’re not there really advocating on behalf of a party. You’re trying to help the court to deal with very complex and especially significant matters.”
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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