As a now-retired criminal defense lawyer, it was hard to appreciate the requirement for reflection one needs in this profession. For too long and too often, jurists and lawyers alike are caught up in the daily press of cases to think about the higher aspects of their clients' and litigants' lives and that we all serve an almighty and eternal purpose of some kind. This life is not all there is to reality, because I know now that I am closer to the end than the beginning.
I look at this court and wonder, did those days of Justice Souter ever exist? If so then the last 25 years have dissolved in a blur. That’s how much oxygen has been sucked out of the Supreme Court since his retirement.
What a wonderful history of a man who I knew the least of and he was a judge to beat all judges on our Supreme Court except the three women who bring a bit of our constitution clearly in focus not partisan !
Thank you. Your reference to Learned Hand, who served on the Court of Appeals with his cousin, Augustus, reminds me that one of my professors said that in the Second Circuit the motto was, “Quote Learned, but follow Gus.” Would Justice Souter have approved? I’d like to think so.
My father, who served on the California Court of Appeal, considered the defense of the legitimacy of the Courts among his highest obligations, overriding his own political positions.
Justice Souter was a great hero for that proposition.
Thank you for the remembrance. Honor to the Courts and their Officers!
A beautiful eulogy to an admirable Justice!
Thank you!
Thank you for this brief bio. What a shame that our current situation is so foreign to who he was!
This is a wonderful tribute to Justice Souter. I came to understand the Supreme Court better because of his writings and general demeanor.
As a now-retired criminal defense lawyer, it was hard to appreciate the requirement for reflection one needs in this profession. For too long and too often, jurists and lawyers alike are caught up in the daily press of cases to think about the higher aspects of their clients' and litigants' lives and that we all serve an almighty and eternal purpose of some kind. This life is not all there is to reality, because I know now that I am closer to the end than the beginning.
I look at this court and wonder, did those days of Justice Souter ever exist? If so then the last 25 years have dissolved in a blur. That’s how much oxygen has been sucked out of the Supreme Court since his retirement.
This is a beautifully written tribute! Sauter would (modestly) approve!
Nicely done, Harry! It makes my heart ache for what COULD be, if only.
Thank you for this. I have always admired Justice Souter.
What a wonderful history of a man who I knew the least of and he was a judge to beat all judges on our Supreme Court except the three women who bring a bit of our constitution clearly in focus not partisan !
Thank you. Your reference to Learned Hand, who served on the Court of Appeals with his cousin, Augustus, reminds me that one of my professors said that in the Second Circuit the motto was, “Quote Learned, but follow Gus.” Would Justice Souter have approved? I’d like to think so.
I now what to learn more about Justice Souter and his rulings/writings
Thanks for this profile of Souter. Judicial modesty and humility are virtues in short supply in today's SCOTUS.
Wonderfully written, insightful. Makes me wince that we have lost his approach to justice and society on the Supreme Court.
Thank you.
That was a man I could fall in love with marry! A shame we have Thomas and Alito instead! 😒
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Those were the days.
My father, who served on the California Court of Appeal, considered the defense of the legitimacy of the Courts among his highest obligations, overriding his own political positions.
Justice Souter was a great hero for that proposition.
Thank you for the remembrance. Honor to the Courts and their Officers!