Supreme Court Adjourns 2021-2022 Term, Honors Centuries of Staff Service
Court Wraps Historic Term with Recognition of Dedicated Employees
The Supreme Court of the United States has officially closed the books on its tumultuous 2021-2022 term, with Chief Justice John Roberts announcing the completion of all submitted cases and the Court’s recess until October. The announcement caps what many court watchers have described as 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 in his closing remarks. “The Court will then be in recess from today until the first Monday in October 2022, at which time the October 2021 Term of the Court will be adjourned, and the October 2022 Term of the Court will begin, as provided by law.”
Beyond the legal decisions that have reshaped American law this term, the Court took time to recognize a remarkable milestone: the collective retirement of staff members whose service spans more than five centuries combined. These departures represent an extraordinary institutional brain drain at a time of heightened scrutiny for the nation’s highest court.
Centuries of Service Honored
The Clerk’s Office loses two veterans with Michael Duggan retiring after more than 30 years and Gary Kemp departing with nearly three decades of service. From the Marshal’s Office, three long-serving employees are stepping down: Dannie Veney with more than 38 years, Earnest Hicks with over 36 years, and Willie Clayton with more than 25 years of service. Chief Deputy Marshal Richard Nelson is also retiring.
Several chamber staff members are departing as well, including Michele “Shelly” Blincoe, Janice Harley, and Toni Daluge, who have provided direct support to the justices themselves over decades of service.
Perhaps most notable in this era of heightened security concerns, the Court is losing substantial experience from its Police Service. Six officers with more than 150 combined years of service are retiring, including Jeff Banaszak (31+ years), Bernard Bishop (27+ years), Eliud Rodriguez (26+ years), Arthur Mackie (25+ years), and Jeff Cooper and Casey Hills (each with 20+ years). Their departures come at a particularly sensitive time, following recent protests at justices’ homes and increased threats to the Court.
The Court also paused to remember those lost this year. “We sadly note deaths among long-serving employees this year,” the statement acknowledged. “Virginia Singletary passed after more than 41 years of Supreme Court service and Raymond Billeaud passed after more than 21 years as a Supreme Court Police Officer. Moses Humes passed shortly after his retirement from more than 22 years of Supreme Court service and more than 47 years of federal service.”
Technology and Knowledge Leadership Changes
How does an institution steeped in tradition navigate technological change? For nearly three decades, that challenge fell to Robert J. Hawkins, who is retiring as Director of Information Technology after more than 27 years. The Court noted his department’s “creative, agile, and essential” role in maintaining operations through the coronavirus pandemic, which forced unprecedented changes to Court procedures, including the first-ever telephonic oral arguments.
Another significant departure comes with Linda S. Maslow’s retirement. As the 11th Librarian of the Court since 2012, Maslow has served the institution for nearly 34 years. Under her leadership, the Court’s library has modernized its approach while preserving its unique collection.
“Ms. Maslow has guided our Library to embrace digital tools and resources while safeguarding its unique collection and extending a tradition of outstanding responsiveness to the Justices, employees, and bar members,” the Court’s statement explained.
Chief Justice Roberts extended gratitude to all departing staff members on behalf of the entire Court. “The Court thanks our retiring employees for dedicated public service to Court and Country. We wish each of you well in your retirement.”
When the Court reconvenes in October, it will do so with its newest Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, taking her seat on the bench – but without the institutional memory of dozens who have kept the marble palace running through decades of American history.
