Hi VM: Good points. I agree with you that JFR was not a stellar lawyer. He did, however, have some additional experience in matters of law:JFR also worked as a Court Stenographer, and I believe Court Clerk. He served on two other US Supreme Court cases as co-Chair, but made no oral arguments, and was not always present. He also practiced Law in Missouri, and handled one or two high profile cases.There is an old saying that he who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer. When Rutherford was President of the WTS, and cases involved the Society, he was wise to rely on others and/or use outside Counsel.