John Roberts in The Detroit Free Press

On Welfare & Poverty: Defended welfare recipients from losing benefits, pro-bono

As a top appellate lawyer in Washington, Supreme Court nominee John Roberts represented big business against employee claims, coal companies against polluted communities, and contractors seeking an end to government race-preference programs. But he also defended a town's right to prevent development on private property, fought for indigenous people's rights to self-determination, and-for free-helped welfare recipients who feared losing their benefits.

Viewed through a political prism, his record seems to lack any particular ideological bent. "But you can't attribute every sentence from the arguments in a given case to the lawyer who handled it, because they're ultimately just representing their client," an expert said. As a hired advocate, Roberts mastered building arguments on all sides of the political spectrum and avoids easy labeling.

Source: Stephen Henderson, Detroit Free Press Jul 21, 2005

The above quotations are from Media coverage of MI political races in The Detroit Free Press. Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of MI political races in The Detroit Free Press. Click here for other excerpts by John Roberts. Click here for a profile of John Roberts.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Nov 26, 2023