LAW CLERKS MAKE GOOD

Retired Justice Utter once told me the secret of his success as a Supreme Court Justice was the quality of his law clerks. I have taken this advice to heart by hiring the highest quality law clerks in the court. Only law school graduates smarter than I need apply.

I have two clerks, who each serve about one year. The selection is difficult since I receive applications from the best and the brightest from all over the country and some foreigners as well. I look to academic achievement, writing ability, and that spark of genius, which cannot be defined. There is no test of ideology, although after working with each other over the year, I must admit we often end up thinking alike. But I am not looking for yes men and women-I want people with ideas to challenge my own, and, most importantly, tell me when they think I'm wrong.

After that year many have gone on to very successful legal careers all over the country, and positions of community leadership. I am proud of each of these lawyers, and I hope I gave them a challenging start: