Peter D. Enrich, a mild-mannered, 55-year-old philosophy teacher-turned-law professor, did yesterday morning what for many lawyers marks the pinnacle of their careers: He argued his first case before the US Supreme Court.
Besides his academic salary, Enrich, who teaches law at Northeastern University, was not paid for his services. For legal assistance, he relied on the volunteer work of about 50 Northeastern law students, many of whom spent nights and weekends preparing the case, sometimes at Internet cafes. He estimates that his out-of-pocket costs, mainly for filing fees, photocopying, and travel expenses, have hit barely five figures over the past decade. His appearance before the Supreme Court was only the second oral argument he had made in a courtroom in his life.
He faced a mighty legal machine. The defendants in the case, a challenge to the constitutionality of tax breaks used by states to lure and retain businesses, include DaimlerChrysler Corp., which used three private law firms to represent it; the State of Ohio, represented by its attorney general's office; the City of Toledo, backed by its law department; and, at an earlier stage, two Ohio school districts, which also hired a private firm.
Details here from the Boston Globe via LexisONE.com.