Good morning and welcome to Supreme Court Brief! The justices move closer to the holidays when they wrap up the December argument session this week. Two of the term’s most closely watched cases will be argued, one involving LGBTQ discrimination and the other, election law. We take a look at the lawyers and cases. The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a Dec. 8 hearing on the influence scheme and alleged Alito-related leak reported in recent news accounts by the New York Times and Politico. Plus, meet Ethan Torrey, the court’s lawyer who is responding to inquiries by lawmakers about that influence scheme.

Thanks for reading. We welcome feedback and tips. Contact Marcia Coyle at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MarciaCoyle. 

Kristen Waggoner, president and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom and Williams &; Connolly partner Sarah Harris. (L-R) Kristen Waggoner, president and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom and Williams & Connolly partner Sarah Harris. Courtesy photos

At the Lectern: Week 2