Ethics

Perhaps Oral Argument Means Something After All

By Ed Brayton

Here's a great line from the Supreme Court's oral argument on the Exxon Valdez case (yes, that 1989 oil spill is still in the courts; the high court has to decide whether a $2.5 billion verdict against Exxon, already lowered from the $5 billion award the jury voted for, will stand or be reduced further):

"So what can a corporation do to protect itself against punitive-damages awards such as this?" Roberts asked in court.

The lawyer arguing for the Alaska fishermen affected by the spill, Jeffrey Fisher, had an idea. "Well," he said, "it can hire fit and competent people."

The rare sound of laughter rippled through the august chamber. The chief justice did not look amused.

Good line.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on March 01, 2008 (boomark / email).