When Theodore Olson and David Boies were introduced back in May as the lead attorneys in a federal challenge to a California proposition banning gay marriage, many in political and legal circles across the country were left bewildered by the unlikely paring.

The lawyers had famously battled each other in Bush v. Gore, the Supreme Court case that decided the 2000 presidential election. Olson, a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and a card carrying member of the Republican establishment, represent then Gov. George W. Bush and Boies, a name partner at Boies Schiller & Flexner, represented then Vice President Al Gore.

Given that this is California, it should come as no surprise that the story involves a lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge and a well known movie director.

According to the article, director Rob Reiner, best known for movies “When Harry Met Sally” and “The American President,” played a key role in recruiting Olson.

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