Supreme Court closes 2019 Term, bids farewell to six veteran employees, including two historic female “firsts”
The U.S. Supreme Court officially concluded its October 2019 Term on Thursday as Chief Justice John Roberts announced the Court had disposed of all remaining cases and would enter its traditional summer recess until October. In his statement, Roberts took special note of six long-serving employees retiring from the nation’s highest court, including two women who had broken gender barriers in their respective roles.
“I am authorized to announce that the Court has acted upon all cases submitted to the Court for decision this Term,” Roberts stated in remarks released by the Court. The announcement marks the end of a term that featured numerous high-profile decisions delivered amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pioneering women among departing staff
Perhaps most notable among the departures are Christine Luchok Fallon, the Court’s Reporter of Decisions, and Marshal Pamela Talkin — both the first women to hold their respective positions in the Court’s history. Fallon, who has overseen the publication of nearly 30 volumes of Supreme Court Reports during her nine-year tenure, will retire effective September 25.
Talkin’s departure will mark the end of an era at the Court. For 19 years, she has maintained her position just feet from the justices during oral arguments, having heard more than 1,300 cases according to Roberts. As Marshal, she supervised 260 employees and managed critical Court functions including security and building maintenance.
What made these pioneering women’s roles so significant? Beyond their day-to-day responsibilities, they represented the gradual transformation of an institution that didn’t see its first female justice until Sandra Day O’Connor’s appointment in 1981.
Decades of institutional knowledge departing
Four other long-serving employees will also retire, taking with them over a century of combined experience. Kathleen Tycz is leaving the Clerk’s Office after an extraordinary four-decade career, while her colleague Melissa Walters retired last July after nearly 28 years of service.
From the security side, James Baker is retiring with more than 35 years in the Marshal’s Office, and Agent Andrew Ruggles concludes more than 28 years with the Supreme Court Police. Their retirements represent a significant loss of institutional memory for the Court, which relies heavily on experienced staff to maintain its traditions and operations.
“The commitment and professionalism of all the Court staff contribute significantly to the accomplishments of the Court’s mission,” Roberts noted in his statement, extending gratitude to all employees for their “outstanding work and dedication” during what proved to be an extraordinarily challenging term.
The Chief Justice specifically addressed the departing staff members, saying, “The Court thanks each of you for your dedicated public service to Court and Country. We wish each of you well in your retirement.”
The Court will officially begin its 2020 Term on the first Monday in October, continuing its constitutional role amid what promises to be a contentious election season and ongoing national challenges. But for now, as the justices and their clerks disperse for summer work and vacation, the institution pauses to recognize those who’ve helped it function behind the scenes — including those who broke barriers along the way.
