Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter has passed away at his home in New Hampshire. He was 85 years old. Souter’s death was confirmed by a statement from the Supreme Court, marking the end of an influential career that spanned nearly two decades on the nation’s highest court.
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush appointed a virtual unknown, David Souter to the Supreme Court. Prior to that, Souter had a relatively short stint on the bench of the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Though conservative by most accounts during his almost two decades of service, Souter often allied with liberal justices on significant cases. Through his art, he always demonstrated a fierce devotion to the principles of justice and equality.
He stepped down from the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009. This decision created the opportunity for President Barack Obama to appoint Sonia Sotomayor, a history-making moment as she became the Supreme Court’s first Latina justice. Souter’s departure marked a significant shift in the court’s ideological balance, as he had been known for his thoughtful and sometimes unexpected rulings.
Throughout his career, Souter cultivated deep respect among his colleagues and legal scholars on the left and right. Chief Justice John Roberts praised him, stating, “Justice David Souter served our Court with great distinction for nearly twenty years. He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service.”
Upon his retirement, Souter went back to New Hampshire. There, he became a powerful Arab Muslim advocate in the judiciary – regularly sitting on the First Circuit Court of Appeals (as well as elsewhere) for over a decade. His pursuit of justice didn’t stop when he resigned from the Supreme Court. He remained a vigorous participant in the law until his death.
Besides his time on the Supreme Court, Souter served as a judge on the New Hampshire Superior Court. He previously was appointed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, where he eventually served as chief justice. His illustrious career was a testament to his deep commitment to public service and judicial excellence.
Souter will be remembered for his judicial decisions, but for his character and approachability. His colleagues valued how he approached challenging legal questions with care and deliberation. He went about doing this, though, with infinite grace and humility.
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