Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Boyce Martin recently turned to Homer Simpson for legal support in his dissenting opinion.

At issue in the case: Whether an employee was bound to arbitrate, rather than sue, over an employment dispute when she continued to work at a company after it instituted an arbitration program for employment-related disputes.

In disagreement with the majority's decision, Judge Martin delved into the intricacies of contract law asking "without a signal that she understands that a contract is being made, how is one to know if she has truly accepted."

Judge Martin then footnoted a monologue of Homer Simpson, the father in the popular Fox television series, "The Simpsons."

"Homer Simpson talking to God: 'Here's the deal; you freeze everything as it is, and I won't ask for anything more. If that is OK, please give me absolutely no sign. [no response] OK, deal. In gratitude, I present you this offering of cookies and milk. If you want me to eat them for you, please give me no sign. [no response] Thy will be done.' The Simpsons: And Maggie Makes Three (Fox television broadcast, Jan. 22, 1995)"

Judge Martin, 72, credited his law clerk Anne Gordon with the analogy.

—Source: The Wall Street Journal