The Ohio Supreme Court chief justice doesn't pick opinion writers. Instead, it's marbles.
The Times Reporter, out of Philadelphia, Ohio, reports on a talk given by a new justice on the Ohio Supreme Court: "When the seven justices of the Supreme Court meet, [Justice Judith L. French] said they listen to oral arguments from both sides. Then they go into a small conference room with seats personally assigned in order of their seniority on the court. Beginning with the chief justice, each of the justices takes their turn giving their thoughts and opinions — without interruption, she explained. That can produce what she called “robust” debate. The justices then vote regarding the case, and one of the justices is chosen to write a majority opinion about the decision.
On the United States Supreme Court, the opinion writer is chosen by the chief justice, she said.
'In Ohio we have marbles,' she said, adding that each justice has a number on a marble that is selected. Anyone can write a concurring or dissenting opinion."
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