Justice John Paul Stevens: He Likes 'Em Young
When it comes to law clerks, that is. In other words, Justice Stevens does not subscribe to the trend of hiring Supreme Court clerks who are several years out of law school, with a few years of practice under their belts.
As JPS explains in an interesting interview in The Third Branch, which a tipster just drew to our attention:
"Speaking about law students, I have a bias in choosing law clerks. I prefer those who are only a year or two out of law school, closer to their academic experience. They keep me more abreast of what’s current in the thinking of law professors, and I just like the younger perspective."
So that's the secret to Justice Stevens's longevity: Hire young law clerks, and ask the healthiest ones to donate an organ to you (which they're happy to do in exchange for a SCOTUS clerkship). Every few years, you end up with a completely new body. Brilliant!
The rest of the interview contains some interesting tidbits -- including a comparison of Warren Burger, William Rehnquist, and John Roberts as chief justices. Check it out here.
P.S. We are still interested in learning more about the gender and ethnic breakdown for the incoming class of Supreme Court clerks -- the October Term 2007 clerks. If you can help us out with any info, please click here for details. Thanks.
An Interview with Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens [The Third Branch]
Earlier: October Term 2007 Clerk Hiring: A Request for Information
(8) Comments
Justices of the Supreme Court are just like us--they hate keeping time sheets.
A classic Ship of Theseus problem. Is it still Justice Stevens after all of his organs have been replaced with those of his law clerks?
5:17: Yes. It's still JPS's mind... That beautiful mind...
"We are still interested in learning more about the gender and ethnic breakdown for the incoming class of Supreme Court clerks"
Real helpful, Dave. Reeeeal helpful.
7:04, you're supposed to click on the link for the details of the request:
http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/04/october_term_2007_clerk_hiring_2.php
That's how blogs work. You click on these things called links for more information.
Wow - he bases hiring decisions because of a preference for a "younger perspective"? he's set himself up for an age discrimination claim.
I read that as younger = fewer years out of law school, not younger chronologically.
Why didn't you ever profile the current Supreme Court clerks? You only did Alito's clerks, and then you stopped. That stuff is much more interesting than Charney.