Good morning and welcome to Supreme Court Brief. Advocates and amici in next week's affirmative action challenges involving Harvard and the University of North Carolina have been holding press briefings and offering experts in anticipation of the Oct. 31 arguments. We offer something different: An interview with Latham's Greg Garre who, representing the University of Texas, faced the heat of that battle not once but twice. He offers memories and advice.

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Gregory Garre, partner with Latham & Watkins. Gregory Garre, partner with Latham & Watkins. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM

Fighting an Uphill Battle

When the lawyers defending affirmative action in the Harvard and University of North Carolina cases go before the justices on Oct. 31, they will have with them in spirit an advocate who has defended affirmative action twice and who offers some simple advice: Stick to your position and try to lower the temperature.

"The lawyers who are arguing are all exceptionally talented," Gregory Garre, head of Latham & Watkins' Supreme Court and appellate practice said. "The one thing I learned through the first case and tried to bring in the second case is not to get caught up in the heated moment. The passions get very heated."