The Supreme Court closed its term Thursday with Chief Justice John Roberts announcing the completion of all cases for the term, while recognizing an extraordinary wave of retirements representing more than 500 years of combined service to the nation’s highest court.
“I am authorized to announce that the Court has acted upon all cases submitted to the Court for decision this Term,” Roberts stated in the Court’s final press release before entering its summer recess until the first Monday in October.
The announcement caps what many court observers consider one of the most consequential and controversial terms in recent memory. But beyond the headline-making decisions, the Court also marked a significant changing of the guard among its long-serving staff.
Century-spanning service comes to an end
In a remarkable testament to institutional stability, the retiring employees collectively represented “more than five centuries of Supreme Court service,” as Roberts noted in his statement.
Eleven employees from various Court offices retired this term, including several with three decades or more of service. Among the longest-serving was Michele Blincoe, who departed after more than 39 years, and Dannie Veney, who served over 38 years.
The Court’s police force saw a particularly significant exodus. How significant? Six officers retired during the term, with service ranging from 20 to 31 years. Officer Jeff Banaszak led the group with more than three decades of service protecting the nation’s highest court.
“From the Supreme Court Police, Jeff Banaszak retired with more than 31 years of Supreme Court service,” Roberts explained, before listing five other retiring officers with service spanning more than two decades each.
Losses and legacies
The Court also acknowledged the passing of three long-serving employees, including Virginia Singletary, who had dedicated more than 41 years to the Supreme Court. Raymond Billeaud, a police officer with more than 21 years of service, and Moses Humes, who had recently retired after 22 years at the Court and 47 years of total federal service, were also remembered.
“We sadly note deaths among long-serving employees this year,” Roberts acknowledged in a somber portion of the announcement.
Among the most significant transitions, Linda S. Maslow, who has served as the 11th Librarian of the Court since 2012, announced her retirement after nearly 34 years of service. Maslow’s tenure was characterized by her efforts to modernize the Library’s digital resources 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,” Roberts said.
These departures represent not just the loss of institutional knowledge, but the quiet backbone of a Court that relies on continuity and expertise behind the scenes, even as its public decisions shape American life.
Despite the changes in personnel, Roberts expressed gratitude to all Court employees and members of the bar “for their professionalism and cooperation” throughout a term that saw the Court navigate continued pandemic protocols while issuing decisions on some of the most divisive issues in American society.
As the justices scatter for their summer break, they leave behind an institution in transition — not just in its jurisprudence, but in the very people who have dedicated decades to its daily function.
