Robert H. Bork stood before the nation 's highest court as a lawyer , making him the first defeated Supreme Court nominee ever to argue before its justices . Bork was only the sixth man this century to be denied a Supreme Court seat by the Senate and the 26th in its history. There was no mention of his 1987 nomination fight as Bork engaged in debate with the majority and opposing members over the complexities of international law , federal law and related matters . They questioned him vigorously , as did Justice Anthony M. Kennedy , who occupies the seat that eluded him . Bork is only the sixth man this century to be denied a Supreme Court seat by the Senate and the twenty - sixth in its history .
Robert H. Bork stood before the nation 's highest court as a lawyer , making him the first defeated Supreme Court nominee ever to argue before its justices . There was no mention of his 1987 nomination fight as Bork engaged in debate with the majority and opposing members over the complexities of international law , federal law and related matters . They questioned him vigorously , as did Justice Anthony M. Kennedy , who occupies the seat that eluded him . Bork is only the sixth man this century to be denied a Supreme Court seat by the Senate and the twenty - sixth in its history .