The Supreme Court has wrapped up its October 2021 Term, closing the books on all submitted cases and entering its summer recess until the first Monday in October. In a statement that marked the occasion, Chief Justice John Roberts took a moment to recognize the extraordinary dedication of the Court’s staff, many of whom are retiring after collectively providing more than five centuries of service to the nation’s highest court.
A Court in Transition
“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 in the announcement. “I thank the members of the Court’s bar as well for their professionalism and cooperation.”
The Court’s statement comes at the end of what many legal observers consider one of the most consequential terms in recent memory. Behind the high-profile decisions that captured public attention stood dozens of long-serving staff members who kept the institution running smoothly through decades of legal shifts and, most recently, a global pandemic.
Among the notable departures, Linda S. Maslow, who has served as the 11th Librarian of the Court since 2012, will retire this summer after nearly 34 years. “Ms. Maslow has guided our Library to embrace digital tools and resources while safeguarding its unique collection,” the Court noted, highlighting her “tradition of outstanding responsiveness to the Justices, employees, and bar members.”
Decades of Service
The Marshal’s Office is losing several veteran employees, including Dannie Veney with more than 38 years of service, Earnest Hicks with more than 36 years, and Willie Clayton with more than 25 years. Chief Deputy Marshal Richard Nelson will retire with more than 18 years at the Court and an impressive 48 years of total federal service.
What does it mean to spend nearly four decades in service to the nation’s highest court? For Michele “Shelly” Blincoe, who retires from chambers with more than 39 years of service, it means having witnessed the Court’s evolution through nine presidential administrations and significant technological transformations.
From the Clerk’s Office, longtime employees Michael Duggan and Gary Kemp are retiring with more than 30 years and nearly 30 years of service, respectively. The Court’s Information Technology department is losing its director, Robert J. Hawkins, who the Justices praised for being “creative, agile, and essential in allowing us to discharge the public’s work through the coronavirus pandemic.”
The Supreme Court Police, tasked with protecting the Justices and the Court building itself, will see six veteran officers depart: Jeff Banaszak (31+ years), Bernard Bishop (27+ years), Eliud Rodriguez (26+ years), Arthur Mackie (25+ years), and both Jeff Cooper and Casey Hills with more than 20 years each.
Remembering Those Lost
The statement took a somber turn as it acknowledged the passing of several long-serving employees. Virginia Singletary passed away after more than 41 years of Supreme Court service, while Raymond Billeaud died after serving more than 21 years as a Supreme Court Police Officer. Moses Humes, who had recently retired after more than 22 years with the Court and 47 years of federal service, also passed away shortly after his retirement.
“We sadly note deaths among long-serving employees this year,” the Court acknowledged in its statement.
Collectively, these retiring and deceased employees represent an extraordinary institutional memory. Their careers spanned numerous landmark decisions, the appointment of multiple Justices, and the Court’s gradual technological modernization.
Looking Forward
The Court will remain in recess until the first Monday in October 2022, when the October 2021 Term will officially adjourn and the new term will begin “as provided by law,” according to the announcement.
This changing of the guard comes during a particularly contentious period for the Court, which has faced increased public scrutiny and security concerns. The extensive institutional knowledge departing with these retirees — more than 500 years of combined experience — represents a significant transition for an institution that deeply values tradition and continuity.
In its closing message to the departing staff, the Court expressed its gratitude: “The Court thanks our retiring employees for dedicated public service to Court and Country. We wish each of you well in your retirement.”
