Certain high-profile executive orders -- like the one shutting down the Education Department -- have drawn the most attention from the press this week. But a trio of mostly overlooked EOs seem likely to have great practical importance. A short thread. 1/x First: this EO will centralize in GSA procurement of 1) IT 2) Professional Services, 3) Security, 4) Facilities & Construction, 5) Industrial Products, 6) Office Management, 7) Transportation/Logistics, 8) Travel, 9) Human Capital & 10) Medical. Will reshape contracting landscape

I had an en banc argument in the 4th Circuit Thursday. I start argument prep by writing down every question that occurs to me. I start with a giant deck; as argument approaches, deck gets smaller & smaller. Spend last day practicing a small number of the most important questions. Although I rarely refer to it, I like to have 1 skinny binder. On left I keep cites to authorities; on right I have outlines of answers to the most important questions and record cites. In the middle, my "spiel" -- what I would say if uninterrupted. That's the tab "MIPTC." 2/x

This.

Michael Dreeben: 105 Supreme Court arguments
Seth Waxman: ~79
Ted Olson: ~63
Tom Goldstein: ~43
Lisa Blatt: 40
Roy Englert: 21

Supreme Court clerkship for all of the above: 0

https://twitter.com/smmarotta/status/1299376980010217472

Last night's post was done on an iPhone from a hotel in Arlington, Mass, wishing to rely mainly on semi-reliable law-firm biographies rather than scrolling through Oyez on a tiny screen. Here is a more authoritative list based on some reflection and 2 full-sized computer screens:

THREAD: I had to be in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 19. Assumed flying w/mask was the only way. Watching “Midnight Run,” thought hit me: What about a sleeping compartment on a train? Always wanted to do; never had time. Now I have time-I’m just reading to prep for an argument. 2/ Mute now if this bores you.

Stir-crazy family joined plan for socially-distanced vacation. Western trains are famous for scenery--& believe it or not, food. Planned to take California Zephyr to SLC & to return on northern route (Empire Builder) to avoid seeing things twice.

I'm in Arnold & Porter's NY office for meetings. Any suggestion I timed my visit to coincide w/the Met's exhibit of famous rock instruments is deeply offensive & I reject it.

But the exhibit was open, so I went. It's amazing. 1st up: Clapton's "The Fool" Gibson SG, used w/Cream Keeping w/ Clapton, next up is "Blackie," Clapton's fave guitar during early solo career--assembled from his favorite pieces of 3 guitars. Used to record "Cocaine," "I Shot The Sheriff," "Wonderful Tonight," & "Lay Down Sally." Sold at auction for $850,000 in 2004.