For the first time since 2009, none of the Supreme Court’s conservative justices will appear at the Federalist Society’s annual Washington convention.
The society is a network of conservative and libertarian legal professionals that has long viewed the conservative justices, especially Antonin Scalia, as leading lights.
It’s not clear why the justices have skipped this year, assuming they were invited. A spokesman for the society did not respond to an inquiry by the Washington Examiner. The justices, who rarely issue statements under any circumstances, have not explained.
National Law Journal, which first noticed the absences, suggested that the reason may be because the event’s theme this year is the role of Congress and will feature numerous lawmakers as speakers. That would put the justices in the uncomfortable position of weighing in on another branch of government and the legislative process rather than individual laws or legal theory.
Scalia spoke at the society’s conventions in 2008, 2010-12 and 2014. Justice Clarence Thomas appeared in 2011 and 2013. Justice Samuel Alito appeared in 2012 and 2014.
Liberal groups such as the Alliance for Justice, formally known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, have often criticized the justices for speaking at the event, calling it unseemly for a member of the Supreme Court. However, the court’s liberal justices often appear at events hosted by the society’s liberal counterpart, the American Constitution Society, without receiving criticism.
The group’s annual convention will begin on Nov. 12. Several lawmakers will appear at the event including Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, a current member of the committee. The members also will hear from Republican governors such as Wisconsin’s Scott Walker.
