Neil Gorsuch proved his usefulness Tuesday as the only “non-coastal” U.S. Supreme Court justice. The Coloradan knew that I-90 runs across Montana.

That point of geography came up during the second of two oral arguments dealing with jurisdiction; when and whether companies can be sued in states that have little connection to their home base or to the injury that triggered the suit. Business advocates are watching the cases closely: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court of California and BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrell.

Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. was making the point that trucking companies might be at a disadvantage because they necessarily have a presence and personnel in many states, making them vulnerable to forum-shopping.