During oral arguments in Sossamon v. Texas, Chief Justice Roberts incorrectly announced the case and counsel:

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: We will hear argument next in Case 09-400, Staub v. Proctor Hospital.

Mr. Schnapper.

MR. RUSSELL: Actually, it’s Mr. Russell.

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: Oh, I’m sorry. I’m looking ahead. And, oh, I’ve got the argument wrong, too. We will hear argument in 08-1438, Sossamon v. Texas. You don’t look like Mr. Schnapper. Mr. Russell.

MR. RUSSELL: By accepting Federal funds for its prisons, Texas consented to suit for appropriate relief for violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

After this flub, Kevin Russell didn’t begin his argument with the obligatory “Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the Court.”

Eric Schnapper, a Professor at the University of Washington, argued Staub v. Proctor the same at 1:00 p.m. Sossamon was the 11:00 case.

Woops 🙂