Supreme Court Adjourns 2020 Term, Chief Justice Honors Retiring Staff
Roberts Marks End of Consequential Term with Acknowledgment of Court Personnel
The Supreme Court has closed its books on all cases for the 2019-2020 term, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. announced Thursday, ending a session that delivered landmark rulings on presidential immunity, religious freedom, and LGBTQ workplace protections.
“I am authorized to announce that the Court has acted upon all cases submitted to the Court for decision this Term,” Roberts stated as the justices prepared to recess until October. The final orders from Wednesday’s conference were released at 2 p.m. yesterday, closing a term that saw the Court navigate unprecedented challenges, including holding oral arguments remotely for the first time in its history.
The announcement comes at the conclusion of what many court watchers consider one of the most consequential terms in recent memory. Just yesterday, Roberts authored majority opinions in cases that affirmed limits on presidential immunity from criminal investigation, writing that “since the earliest days of the Republic, ‘every man’ has included the President of the United States.”
Court Bids Farewell to Historic “Firsts”
In a poignant moment, the Chief Justice acknowledged six retiring Court employees, including two who made history as the first women to hold their respective positions.
Christine Luchok Fallon, who retires September 25, made history as the first woman to serve as Reporter of Decisions in the Court’s 231-year history. During her nine-year tenure, Fallon oversaw the publication of nearly 30 volumes of Supreme Court Reports.
Perhaps most visibly, Marshal Pamela Talkin will retire July 31 after 19 years of service. As the first woman Marshal, Talkin has managed Court security and supervised 260 employees while maintaining the Court’s historic building and grounds. The Marshal also sits adjacent to the bench during arguments — Talkin has been present for more than 1,300 of them.
What makes these departures particularly significant? They represent decades of institutional knowledge walking out the door at a time when the Court faces increasing public scrutiny.
Other retiring staffers include James Baker from the Marshal’s Office with over 35 years of service, Police Agent Andrew Ruggles with more than 28 years, and two longtime Clerk’s Office employees: Melissa Walters (28 years) and Kathleen Tycz, who dedicated more than four decades to the Court.
Navigating Turbulent Waters
The Chief Justice has increasingly found himself in the spotlight this term, not just for his jurisprudence but for his role as the Court’s institutional defender. In March, he took the rare step of publicly condemning threatening remarks directed at justices.
“Justices know that criticism comes with the territory,” Roberts noted at the time, “but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous.”
In his end-of-term statement, Roberts struck a more gracious tone, expressing appreciation for Court employees and members of the bar. “The commitment and professionalism of all the Court staff contribute significantly to the accomplishments of the Court’s mission,” he said.
The Court will reconvene on the first Monday in October, when the 2019 term will officially adjourn and the 2020 term will begin “as provided by law.” That’s when the justices will face a fresh docket of cases amid what promises to be a contentious election season.
For now, the nation’s highest court falls silent — but the impact of its recent decisions continues to reverberate through American life and law.
