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Brett Kavanaugh and the New Supreme Court

Brett Kavanaugh’s climb from the D.C. Circuit to the U.S. Supreme Court was rough for just about everyone. Now that he’s in place, we’re starting to see how he’ll go about handling cases that make it to the highest court in the land. In this Instant Insights, we look at some early signs of how Kavanaugh will conduct himself and what his presence means for the SCOTUS judiciary.

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Embattled Kavanaugh, Now Justice, Takes Bench With 'No Bitterness'

Marcia Coyle | October 08, 2018

Introducing Brett Kavanaugh, now justice, President Donald Trump slammed the sexual misconduct claims that roiled the nominee's confirmation proceedings. Kavanaugh said Monday at the White House: "That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be."

Meet Justice Kavanaugh's Four Female SCOTUS Law Clerks

Marcia Coyle | October 07, 2018

"I’ll be the first justice in the history of the Supreme Court to have a group of all women law clerks. That is who I am. That is who I was," Brett Kavanaugh said on Sept. 27, testifying after the emergence of sexual misconduct allegations.
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As Justice, Like Circuit Judge, Kavanaugh Shows Active Style on Bench

Marcia Coyle | October 09, 2018

Sitting at the far right corner of the bench, Kavanaugh chatted and laughed with his seatmate, Obama appointee Justice Elena Kagan, before arguments began. Inside the courtroom, there were no signs of his bitter confirmation proceeding.
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With Kavanaugh Now Sitting, Several Big Petitions Await Action

Tony Mauro | October 09, 2018

At least three high-profile cases were available to be acted on but were not, likely because they were reviewed by only eight justices.
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Unlike Gorsuch, Kavanaugh Jumps Into SCOTUS Cert Pool

Tony Mauro | October 11, 2018

Two justices—Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito Jr.—have stayed out of the pool, which means that their clerks give them independent assessments of petitions.

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Marcia Coyle: Kavanaugh's Partisanship Doesn't Just Vanish Now

ALM Staff | October 10, 2018

"The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That process is over," Kavanaugh said at the White House on Monday. "My focus now is to be the best justice I can be. I take this office with gratitude and no bitterness."
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Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Clerk Hires in Perspective

Tony Mauro | October 08, 2018

Kavanaugh told us that increasing diversity among clerks requires outreach. “A big part of it is demystifying the process, having a conversation about how it works, and encouraging the students to apply,” he said last year.