Supreme Court Nominations

Stumbles in Justice Stevens’ Delivery Spur Retirement Speculation

Justice John Paul Stevens spoke with passion when he read aloud from his dissent for 20 minutes yesterday in a major campaign finance case—but several reporters noticed a difference in his delivery. The Washington Post says the 89-year-old Stevens “read hesitantly”; the BLT: the Blog of Legal Times says he…

Jan 22, 2010 1:49 PM CST

Questioning the Process

Regarding “No More Kabuki Confirmations,” October, about U.S. Supreme Court nominees and better ways of handling this challenge, I offer my view as one recently retired after 59 years’ law practice.

Dec 2, 2009 5:19 AM CST

Sotomayor Becomes a Supreme Court and YouTube Celebrity

U.S. Supreme Court justices usually aren’t hounded by autograph seekers and well-wishers, or surrounded by swarms of people during public appearances. But the court’s newest justice, Sonia Sotomayor, has become something of a celebrity, attracting attention wherever she goes, the Associated Press reports. One of the most popular YouTube videos…

Nov 17, 2009 1:34 PM CST

Sotomayor Opts for Red Nails and ‘a Friend with No Strings Attached’

Justice Sonia Sotomayor had doubts about taking a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Three weeks before the nomination was announced, Sotomayor confessed to a friend that she was considering withdrawing her name from consideration, Latina magazine reports. The Associated Press has the highlights. Sotomayor was worried that she would…

Nov 11, 2009 7:06 PM CST

Sotomayor Says White House Officials Chose Suit for Her Acceptance Ceremony

White House officials apparently prefer the color beige. Justice Sonia Sotomayor told alumni and students at Yale Law School on Saturday that White House officials controlled the nomination process so tightly that they chose the suit she wore for her acceptance ceremony, the New Haven Register reports. The media was…

Oct 19, 2009 11:55 AM CDT

Will Sotomayor’s ‘Effervescence’ Change the Supreme Court?

Justice Sonia Sotomayor will introduce a new dynamic to the Supreme Court when the term begins next week, but will it change any results? The Associated Press asks the question. Its story points out that Sotomayor is likely to vote with liberals, but could be more conservative on criminal issues…

Oct 2, 2009 4:11 PM CDT

No More Kabuki Confirmations

There are better ways to vet a Supreme Court nominee

Oct 2, 2009 4:50 AM CDT

Sotomayor Takes Her Seat

First Amendment, legal advice cases on new term’s docket

Oct 2, 2009 2:10 AM CDT

Justice Thomas Says Nomination Was Like a ‘Near Death Experience’

Justice Clarence Thomas recalled the announcement of his appointment to the Supreme Court as being like a “near death experience” in a lecture at Southern Methodist University on Wednesday evening. Thomas was questioned by former Solicitor General Theodore Olson, the SMU Daily Campus reports. Thomas said the announcement of his…

Oct 1, 2009 11:49 AM CDT

Possible High Court Nomination Didn’t Deter Calif. Justice on Marriage Vote

Carlos Moreno is the only justice on the California Supreme Court to marry a gay couple, and the only justice who dissented from a decision last May upholding a ballot referendum banning gay marriage. Moreno’s opinion “has raised his profile and encouraged speculation that he may be stepping into a…

Sep 28, 2009 4:35 PM CDT

Sotomayor Details Twists and Literal Wrong Turns En Route to D.C.

A U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearing can be a difficult process. It turns out, that just getting to Washington, D.C., for the nomination announcement can also involve some twists and literal wrong turns. In an interview with C-SPAN, Sotomayor told of a long wait for the White House phone call…

Sep 25, 2009 3:21 PM CDT

Would Brandeis Have Been Nominated to the Supreme Court Today?

When Louis Brandeis was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1916, some considered him a dangerous radical. Yet he was confirmed and spent more than two decades on the U.S. Supreme Court, where he shaped the law of free speech and privacy. The Supreme Court reporter for the New…

Sep 21, 2009 3:51 PM CDT

Pop Singer Attends Justice Sotomayor’s Ceremony

Pop singer Ricky Martin attended a public investiture ceremony for Justice Sonia Sotomayor yesterday, but a U.S. Supreme Court spokeswoman didn’t know the reason why. Sotomayor wore a judicial robe adorned with a lace collar that was a gift from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, according to the Washington Post and…

Sep 9, 2009 11:35 AM CDT

One Big Happy High Court Family? New Justice Changes Chemistry, Thomas Says

Justice Clarence Thomas says the addition of a new justice to the U.S. Supreme Court is like bringing in a new family member. Thomas is one of several justices who reflected on the changes in an interview with C-SPAN for its planned series of broadcasts on the U.S. Supreme Court.…

Sep 4, 2009 1:19 PM CDT

Stevens Hires Only One Law Clerk, Spurring Retirement Speculation

Justice John Paul Stevens has so far hired only one law clerk for 2010, leading to speculation that he will announce his retirement at the end of the coming term. Stevens confirmed through a court spokeswoman that he has hired only one law clerk, the Associated Press reports. Usually justices…

Sep 2, 2009 11:29 AM CDT