I sat behind the Westboro Baptist Church

members that were attending yesterday's hearing in the Eighth Circuit in St. Louis.  They were the first ones to be heard, of course, and it looked like the Westboro Baptist Church was challenging the constitutionality of a Missouri statute that was apparently enjoined by the district court.  Apparently, the statute requires protesters at a funeral to stay a certain distance away from the funeral.  At any rate, it was a nice palate cleanser before my oral argument.

After the Westboro Baptist Church oral argument concluded, about 75% of the courtroom cleared out.  Hey, I thought you guys were here to hear my Missouri Medicaid case?

First case before a federal appellate court.

I just argued my first case today in front of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis, Missouri. I think it went well. No marks on me that I know of. Maybe they're saving that for the decision.