Justice Kennedy A ‘Model of Civility,’ Clerks Say

Former clerks of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy describe him as an open-minded jurist, a model of civility, and a hard worker.

Kennedy announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court effective July 31. He served on the federal bench for 43 years; 30 of those years were on the Supreme Court.

Kennedy’s civility shone through at all times, even when he debated difficult cases with his clerks.

He knew exactly what to say to defuse our sometimes heated conversations, Nancy Combs told Bloomberg Law. Combs clerked for Kennedy from 1995–1996.

Kennedy’s attitude rubbed off on his clerks.

“I learned a ...