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Supreme Court of Georgia pilots two minutes of uninterrupted oral argument time

4/21/25

By: Elissa B. Haynes

If you’ve ever stood at the podium in the Supreme Court of Georgia ready to present an appellate argument, you know the drill: you barely get your opening sentence out before a question from the bench sends you racing to the third issue on your outline—perhaps well before you are ready to go there. It’s a familiar dance for seasoned appellate lawyers. You’ve meticulously organized a roadmap, your main talking points, and supporting case law, only to pivot almost immediately before you’ve had a chance to set the stage.  

But starting April 16, 2025, the Supreme Court is piloting a new (and optional) procedure that could reshape the flow of oral advocacy. Lawyers now have two minutes of uninterrupted speaking time at the beginning of their argument. This mirrors a similar rule at the United States Supreme Court which provides lawyers with two minutes to argue their case without questions from the Justices.  

While any change is bound to draw a range of opinions, many appellate lawyers will agree that this rule can be helpful to those who choose to use it – especially younger lawyers arguing before the Court for the first time. With two minutes of question-free argument time, lawyers get more predictability and the opportunity to set the tone and provide an overview of each point they want the Court to consider. It’s a chance to ensure the Court hears more of the argument the lawyer prepared versus a twenty-minute question and answer session on just one issue, seconds after uttering “may it please the court.” And it’s not just a benefit to the advocates. The Justices may benefit as well by getting a complete overview of the lawyer’s argument to better tailor their questions for the remaining time. 

Will every advocate take advantage of this new procedure? Probably not. But for those who do, it could be a meaningful tool for better clarity, focus, and persuasion.  

For more information, please contact Elissa B. Haynes at elissa.haynes@fmglaw.com or your local FMG attorney.  

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