Setting the Agenda of the Court

I.    Selecting Cases

    A.    Petition for Review

        1.    certiorari

        2.    appeal

    B.    Pool Memorandum

    C.    Discuss List (scholarly analysis)

    D.    Conference

        1.    discussion

        2.    Rule of Four

II.    Factors in Selecting Cases (Rule 10)

    A.    Conflicting Legal Interpretations

    B.    Perceived Importance of Issues

        1.    quantity and quality of Amicus Briefs

        2.    nature of litigants

        3.    lower court division

    C.    Issue Area

        1.    civil rights/liberties

        2.    federalism

        3.    economic regulation

    D.    Preferences of Justices

    E.    Pressing Public Issues

III.  Recent Decisions