Judge Merhige has emerged as the most prominent example of a new breed of activist, problem-solving federal trial judges who aggressively impact upon American society and its institutions. May It Please the Court examines the federal judiciary at its most direct (and least analyzed) level by addressing Judge Merhige's two decades of experience in dealing with some of the most significant and complex legal and social issues in our society. Contents: The Pre-Bench Years: Childhood through Law School, World War II Service; A Lawyer's Lawyer; Appointment to the Bench; A Stormy Beginning: Political Protest Litigation, Desegregation in Virginia, School Busing and Consolidation, The Loss of a Friend, Prisoners' Rights Litigation; Continued Controversy: The Watergate Era, The Kepone Pollution Case, The Wounded Knee Protest, The Westinghouse Case, Attacks on the Judge, A Respite from Publicity, Once More into the Fray: 88 Seconds in Greensboro, A Judicial Family, The Dalkon Shield Controversy, A.H. Robins Bankruptcy Petition, Settlement Efforts, Resolution of the Case; Epilogue; Appendices.