Legal News

Justice Stevens to resign

By Glen Ashman

It's Official: Justice Stevens Announces Retirement

National Law Journal

In a letter dated today, Justice John Paul Stevens informed President Barack Obama of his intent to retire at the end of the current term after 34 years on the Court.

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Most media outlets say the three leading candidates to replace Stevens are Solicitor General Elena Kagan, 49, and federal appellate Judges Merrick Garland, 57, in Washington and Diane Wood, 59, in Chicago.

Elena Kagan, who is Jewish is the first female Solicitor General of the United States. Kagan was formerly dean of Harvard Law School. She served as Associate White House Counsel under President Bill Clinton.

Merrick Brian Garland serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Garland, a Clinton appointee, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 19, 1997 in a 76-23 vote.   He's considered a moderate.  He was once Justice William Brennan's law clerk.

Diane Wood clerked for Harry Blackmun of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1976 to 1977. She was among the first women to clerk at the Supreme Court.  Wood became the third woman ever hired as a law professor at the University of Chicago Law School. Wood was nominated to the Seventh Circuit by President Bill Clinton on March 31, 1995. She was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate.

Full post as published by It's (Barely) Legal on April 09, 2010 (boomark / email).