J. SKELLY WRIGHT: A CLERK’S PERSPECTIVE OF THE JUDGE

Abstract

For the clerks, Judge Wright’s reputation preceded him. For the vast majority, he was their number one choice for a clerkship, for he not only sat on what was then the second most powerful court in the land, but he also was considered a giant of a jurist. He was known as one of the most liberal judges in the country— this was when the term “liberal” was used approvingly and was something of a badge of honor—and he was known as someone who consistently and courageously strove to achieve justice. When we first met him (for some, when we were interviewed; for others, the first day we began clerking), and as we spent the year in chambers with him, we came to appreciate that his reputation was well deserved but that there was a lot more to this man that was not so well known.