In the case of Gotthilf v. Sills et al., 1963, the petitioner, a New Jersey resident who was not an attorney, sought to represent his wife in court proceedings. The Supreme Court of New Jersey denied him this right on grounds that he was not a licensed lawyer and therefore could not practice law in the state. The petitioner then appealed to the U.S Supreme Court arguing that his constitutional rights were violated by denying him representation for his wife under First Amendment's freedom of speech clause and Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause. The U.S Supreme Court dismissed Gotthilf’s appeal stating it lacked jurisdiction because no substantial federal question was presented. It held that states have broad power to establish standards for licensing practitioners before its courts including attorneys and those practicing law without license are subject to sanctions or penalties as per state laws.

In the dissenting opinion for Gotthilf v. Sills et al., the justice argued that the majority's decision to uphold a New Jersey law prohibiting Sunday sales of certain items was an unconstitutional violation of religious freedom. The justice contended that by enforcing this "blue law," which originated from Christian observance of Sunday as a day of rest, the state was effectively promoting one religion over others and thus violating the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. Furthermore, they pointed out inconsistencies in what could or couldn't be sold on Sundays under this law, suggesting it wasn't truly about maintaining public peace and order but rather imposing specific religious beliefs onto all citizens regardless of their personal faiths or lack thereof. They also noted potential economic harm to businesses unable to operate seven days a week due to these restrictions.