Potential Replacements for Justice Souter

Welcome back, readers. Real life obligations have kept us away from the blog for a while, but we intend on trying to post when we can. We hope to bring back State of the Race as time permits.

In the meantime, MCS has penned a summary of potential nominees to the Supreme Court. This list focuses on several current appellate judges and a few well known law professors. Who do you think President Obama will choose?

Circuit Court Judges

Sonia Sotomayor, 54, Court of Appeals for Second Circuit, appointed to 2nd Circuit by Bill Clinton in 1997, confirmation blocked for a year, ultimately confirmed 68-28. Originally appointed in 1991 to S.D.N.Y. Of Puerto Rican heritage, born in South Bronx. Has diabetes. Suggested by Democrats as SCOTUS appointee during Bush administration. Democrats may view her as too “centrist.” Graduate of Princeton and Yale Law School.

Diane Wood, 58, Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, appointed by Bill Clinton in 1995 and confirmed unanimously. Former law professor, and worked Office of Legal Adviser in State Department in the late ‘70s. Clerked for Justice Blackmun. Has authored some controversial abortion decisions/dissents. Graduate of University of Texas and University of Texas Law School.

Helene N. White, 55, Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, originally appointed by Bill Clinton in 1997, but never confirmed. Appointed by Bush in 2008 as part of Gang of 14 compromise. Confirmed with 63-32 vote. Formerly married to Charles Levin, cousin of Sen. Levin. Formerly appellate judge in Michigan. Graduate of Barnard College and University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Ann Williams, 60, Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, appointed by Bill Clinton in 1999 and unanimously confirmed. Previously, District Judge in N.D. Ill. - appointed by Reagan. Calls herself politically independent. Probably not overtly liberal enough. African-American. Graduate of Wayne State University and University of Michigan Law School.

Karen Nelson Moore, 61, Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, appointed by Bill Clinton in 1995, confirmed by voice vote. Clerked for Justice Blackmun. Graduate of Radcliffe and Harvard Law School.

Kim Wardlaw, 54, Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, appointed by Bill Clinton in 1998, enjoying strong bipartisan support. Clinton appointed her to District Judgeship in 1995 and she was confirmed unanimously. Former partner at O’Melveny and Myers. Politically active in Democratic circles. Graduate of UCLA and UCLA Law School.

Others

Elena Kagan, 49, Solicitor General (confirmed 61-31), former dean of Harvard Law School, and former law professor at Harvard and Chicago. Also associate White House counsel under Clinton. Appointed to D.C. Circuit by Clinton but never got vote. Respected among some in conservative legal academic circles. Former clerk to Justice Thurgood Marshall. Graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School.

Kathleen Sullivan, 54, professor at Stanford Law School and appellate litigator at Quinn Emmanuel. Described by Laurence Tribe as most extraordinary student he ever had. Former HLS professor and Stanford professor. Author of leading Constitutional law casebook. Failed CA bar exam on first try. Graduate of Cornell and Harvard Law School.

Pamela Karlan, 50, professor at Stanford Law School. Formerly professor at UVA. Co-founded Supreme Court law clinic at Stanford. Experienced Supreme Court advocate and frequent contributor to media. Clerked for Justice Blackmun. Graduate of Yale and Yale Law School.