U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is in North Carolina this week for the state Bar Association's annual meeting.
Scalia is the keynote speaker for the Bar's retreat, which starts today in Asheville. NC Bar Association president Mike Wells says Justice Scalia comes to North Carolina at a time when the Supreme Court is deeply divided over many issues.
"I'm sure he will comment to the broad frame of the facts of law, its importance in a free country, and the challenge of all lawyers to take up its causes and take responsibility in a world in which leadership is so important," Wells says.
"We're all in the persuasion business and the ability to advocate clearly and succinctly are very important skills. He still remains a teacher, I should think, and whatever your opinions are about his conservative views, he's a gifted teacher and that applies and is a benefit to all of us."
The Courtrecently struck down Arizona's requirement for voters to show proof of citizenship and ruled human genes can not be patented. Justices have yet to decide on two cases connected to bans of same-sex marriage at the state level.