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Paloma Capanna on oral argument in 2nd Circuit

She's a pro-gun attorney and describes the experience here.

I wish I could say the situation -- judges who don't understand the appeal, and probably haven't read or at best skimmed the briefs -- is unusual, but it isn't. It depends a lot on what court you are in. Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals has an interesting practice in order to prevent this: they'll take a preliminary vote before argument, and send both attorneys a draft opinion. That way at least one judge (the author) is well-versed, and the others at least somewhat versed, and you know exactly how to structure your argument.