Editor’s note: On May 23, Texas Lawyer senior reporter John Council interviewed 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Edith Jones — the court’s most vigorous questioner — to get her thoughts on how appellate lawyers should prepare for oral arguments. The discussion appears below, edited for length and style.

John Council, senior reporter, Texas Lawyer: . . . Judge, I want to ask you your best piece of advice for lawyers in oral argument. . . .