The Hon. John G. Roberts Jr., Chief Justice of the United States, will visit USC Oct. 19-20 and will preside, along with four other distinguished judges, over a special law student moot-court session.

Roberts will attend a reception and dinner Thursday evening, Oct. 19, before his Friday appearance as a presiding judge over the moot court. He also is expected to visit the National Advocacy Center located at USC.

Walter F. "Jack" Pratt Jr., dean of the School of Law, which is serving as Roberts' host, said his visit is a mark of distinction for the University and the school.

"We are extremely delighted to be able to welcome Chief Justice Roberts to the University and look forward to showcasing our outstanding students and legal-education programs," he said. "It is a singular honor for us, and I trust he will leave impressed that some of our nation's finest lawyers are being prepared here. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be able to see and hear our nation's top judge in a courtroom setting."

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who played a key role in inviting Roberts to the law school, will accompany the chief justice on his visit. Graham is also a graduate of the University's law school and earned a bachelor's degree from USC.

For the moot court, scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 20 in the School of Law auditorium, four third-year law students from USC have been selected to argue a case before Roberts and the following judges:

* The Hon. Jean H. Toal, chief justice, Supreme Court of South Carolina

* The Hon. William W. Wilkins, chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

* The Hon. Kaye G. Hearn, chief judge, South Carolina Court of Appeals, and

* The Hon. Joseph F. Anderson Jr., chief judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Four students will have prepared a written brief in advance of the oral argument, which focuses on a hypothetical case involving issues under both the Fourth Amendment (search and seizure) and the Fifth Amendment (providing adequate information about a suspect's rights).

Sarah Bayko and Brook B. Andrews will represent the appellant; Meghan K. Johnson and Andrew A. Mathias will represent the U.S. government. The court session will not be open to the public.

10/06