In the first week of every month, the Court schedules oral arguments. After attorneys argue their cases before the Court, the justices hold a conference, and one justice is assigned to write an opinion. Writing assignments are rotated to distribute the caseload as equally as possible. The justices may also elect to write separate concurring or dissenting opinions. The justices are assisted by law clerks, staff attorneys, a Clerk of the Court, and a staff of legal secretaries and front office clerks.
Law clerks are recent law school graduates who do legal research on issues before the court.
The staff attorneys screen the cases to be heard by the court and the Clerk of Court is responsible for processing legal matters filed with the court. The Supreme Court also adopts rules of civil and criminal procedure and rules of evidence for use in the state courts and manages the appellate process. The Court also governs the practice of law, including admission to practice law and the conduct and discipline of lawyers.