St. Lawrence County Attorney Stephen Button was recently sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court of the United States Bar.

The honor allows Button to attend Supreme Court proceedings and allows him to practice law in federal court. It also grants him access to the Supreme Court library.

“While the legal significance has more to do with an attorney's ability to appear in any federal court, in any federal jurisdiction, there is more to it,” Button said. “In order to become a SCOTUS member, you must be supported by two current SCOTUS members who have known you, in your legal career only, and can attest to your ability and ethics. In addition, you must have avoided any allegations of ethical wrongdoing or professional malfeasance during your practice. “

He was sponsored by Jonathan Gradess, Executive Director of the New York State Defender's Association and Edward Nowak.

Button said he was humbled by the process.

“Gradess travelled to Washington to personally move my admission in open court,” he said.

“Given the limited number of Attorneys that are licensed before SCOTUS, it is considered an achievement to be able to meet the qualifications and have one of your sponsors announce that in open court to the Chief Justice, like mine did for me.”

Button performed his undergraduate study at Baylor University in 2000 and received his masters degree from there in 2002. That was followed by Massachusetts law school practice order 3.03 though 2004. Button graduated with a JD from the Western New England University School of Law in 2006. He was granted a license to practice law in Connecticut in 2007 and in the Federal District of Connecticut in 2008. His New York license was granted in 2008 followed by his Federal Northern District of New York in 2015.