Supreme Court Adjourns for Summer Recess After Completing Term’s Caseload
Court Wraps Up Historic Term, Recognizes Over Five Centuries of Staff Service
The Supreme Court has officially cleared its docket for the 2021-2022 term and entered its summer recess, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. announced Thursday, capping what many observers consider one of the most consequential terms in recent history.
“I am authorized to announce that the Court has acted upon all cases submitted to the Court for decision this Term,” Roberts stated, noting that the Court will remain in recess until the first Monday in October, when the 2022 term officially begins.
The announcement came after the justices released final orders and opinions that have reshaped American jurisprudence on multiple fronts. But beyond the high-profile decisions, Roberts used the occasion to highlight something rarely seen in news coverage — the dedicated staff who keep the nation’s highest court functioning day after day.
In an unusual moment of public recognition, the Chief Justice paid tribute to retiring employees who collectively have contributed more than five centuries of service to the institution. Who are these long-serving staff members? They range from clerks and marshals to police officers and technology specialists, many having dedicated decades of their careers to the Court.
Among those recognized was Robert J. Hawkins, retiring Director of Information Technology, whose leadership proved crucial during the pandemic. “He and his team were creative, agile, and essential in allowing us to discharge the public’s work through the coronavirus pandemic,” Roberts said, highlighting how the Court maintained operations during unprecedented disruptions.
Technology and Tradition: Navigating Court Operations in Changing Times
The Court also bid farewell to Linda S. Maslow, who has served as the 11th Librarian of the Court since 2012 and will retire after nearly 34 years. Roberts noted that Maslow “guided our Library to embrace digital tools and resources while safeguarding its unique collection” — a balancing act that mirrors the Court’s own navigation between tradition and modernity.
From the Clerk’s Office, Michael Duggan retired with more than 30 years of service, while Gary Kemp concluded nearly three decades of work. The Marshal’s Office saw several departures, including Dannie Veney with over 38 years of service and Chief Deputy Marshal Richard Nelson, who departs with more than 18 years at the Court but an impressive 48 years of total federal service.
The statement also took a somber turn. “We sadly note deaths among long-serving employees this year,” Roberts acknowledged, mentioning Virginia Singletary, who passed after more than 41 years of service, Raymond Billeaud, a police officer of 21 years, and Moses Humes, who died shortly after retiring with 22 years at the Court.
Behind the Bench: The Unseen Support System
While public attention typically focuses on the nine justices and their decisions, this rare glimpse into the Court’s operations underscores the extensive infrastructure supporting the judiciary’s work. The Supreme Court Police, often overlooked in discussions about the institution, saw six officers retire, including Jeff Banaszak with 31 years of service and Bernard Bishop with 27 years.
These departures come at a particularly sensitive time for Court security. Recent protests following controversial decisions and a leaked draft opinion earlier in the term have placed renewed focus on protecting both the physical Court building and the justices themselves.
“On behalf of all the Justices, I would like to thank the Supreme Court employees for their outstanding work and dedication to their important responsibilities this Term,” Roberts stated, extending gratitude also to members of the Court’s bar for “their professionalism and cooperation.”
The Chief Justice concluded his statement with a simple yet heartfelt acknowledgment: “The Court thanks our retiring employees for dedicated public service to Court and Country. We wish each of you well in your retirement.”
As the marble halls of the Court fall quiet for summer, these tributes serve as a reminder that behind every landmark decision stands a small army of dedicated professionals — many who have devoted their entire careers to the institution that interprets America’s most fundamental laws.
