Hogan Lovells senior associate Sean Marotta had just arrived at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for his 10 a.m. oral argument on Monday when he had a sinking realization: He left his outline and cheat sheet in the office printer.

But partner Jessica Ellsworth had his back, speed-walking the half-mile back to Hogan’s downtown D.C. office to retrieve his notes—a literal example of the firm’s appellate partners going out of their way to support their associates.