Judge D. Brock Hornby (D. Me.) prepared this as an outline of introductory remarks he gives to new law clerks when they start work in his chambers. He based this outline on one prepared by Justice Eileen E. Gillese of the Ontario Court of Appeals.

At the request of the Judicial Conference Committee on Court Administration and Case Management, the Federal Judicial Center conducted a study of the use of courtrooms in the U.S. district courts.