The scientists and their lawyer, Samuel Casey, said they were surprised by the sweeping impact of federal Judge Royce Lamberth's decision.

WSJ: Stem-Cell Plaintiffs Cite Ethical Motivation

First, federal judge Royce Lamberth surprised everyone on August 23 by calling a halt to all federally-funded work on embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

FORBES: Stem Cell Heroes And Villains

Judge Royce Lamberth ran the court from 1995 to 2002.

NPR: Judge Remembers Time on Top Secret Bench

"Picture a law written by James Joyce and edited by e.e. cummings, " wrote Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in a January ruling in a Medicare case.

WSJ: Here's a Funny Idea: Medicare Laws That Are Easy to Read

Mr. ROYCE LAMBERTH (1995-2002 Presiding Judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance): I had to have my wife go upstairs because she didn't have a top secret clearance, so she couldn't be privy to any of this, but I kept my dog at my side.

NPR: Judge Remembers Time on Top Secret Bench