Remote Appellate Arguments Could Be Here to Stay
According to a survey conducted by the clerk of the Ninth Circuit, an overwhelming 86% of lawyers who have given oral arguments remotely thought the level of engagement with the judges was the same or better than in-person proceedings.
A lower percentage, though still a majority, rated the experience to be overall positive, with 62% rating the experience similar to or even better than in-person proceedings. The remaining 38% rated it worse.
Nonetheless, most attorneys were reluctant to support future remote arguments unless in the case of a pandemic or where opposing counsel was also appearing remotely. Only 13% would appear remotely again without those conditions.
The survey was reported here: https://lnkd.in/dKHNwpp