Federal Judiciary

Speculation on Justice Stevens

By Akin Gump Supreme Court Practice Group

News outlets are filled this morning with speculative stories that Justice John Paul Stevens, having hired only one law clerk for the 2010 Term, is considering retirement after the 2009 Term.  Some of those reports can be found here, here,  here, here, and here.  Thanks to Howard Bashman of How Appealing blog for several of these links.

The stories appeared to have been prompted mainly by a report by the Associated Press (the first link above), although there may have been other sources.  Here is an excerpt from the AP’s report: 

“In response to a question from The Associated Press, Stevens confirmed through a court spokeswoman Tuesday that he has hired only one clerk for the term that begins in October 2010. He is among several justices who typically have hired all four clerks for the following year by now. Information about this advance hiring is not released by the court but is regularly published by some legal blogs.  Stevens did not say whether he plans to hire his full allotment of clerks or whether he will leave the court at the conclusion of the term that begins next month. Retired justices are allowed to hire one clerk.”

Full post as published by SCOTUSBLOG on September 03, 2009 (boomark / email).