[U.H. Conservative]

"Roberts would have had very little say in whether to take pro bono work accepted by another partner."

True but as a partner himself, he would have say on whether he worked with the other partner on that case. We must remember, as you note, that Roberts was one of the top appellate lawyers in the country. IT is hard to believe that he could not have said, "I disagree with this case. I would prefer not to participate in it."

[RGSpincich]

He was the person/partner in charge of the appellate division and,thus, responsible for anything put forth by that branch of the firm. He did not shirk his responsibility to the firm to suit his own sensitivities.

[colorado tanker]

Sure, he could have been a jerk to his partner and refused the courtesy of helping the lawyer prepare for oral argument before SCOTUS, something only a handful of lawyers really know how to do.

One thing I can easily see about Roberts is he isn't a jerk.