SAN FRANCISCO — Attorneys fighting for gay marriage in the Prop 8 case at the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will see at least one friendly face staring back when they give oral arguments next week.

Stephen Reinhardt, a Carter appointee who has been solidly in the liberal wing of the court since he took the bench in 1980, is on the panel, along with Clinton appointee Michael Daley Hawkins and N. Randy Smith, a George W. Bush pick.