LA Times: Three Supreme Court contenders share ties

[usregimechange]

Merrick Garland's background in criminal law, particularly terrorism cases, sets him apart from other candidates. Diane Wood, center, is an expert in antitrust law. Elena Kagan may be the most inscrutable in terms of her legal philosophy. (AP)


Nearly a generation ago, they were three young lawyers working their way up in the Clinton administration. Now, one of them could very well be the next justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Merrick Garland was a Justice Department official overseeing the trial of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy J. McVeigh from afar.

Diane Wood worked in the building too, specializing in antitrust law.

And down the street at the White House, Elena Kagan was taking on Big Tobacco.

Their paths later diverged. Garland stayed in Washington as a federal judge. Wood too became a judge, but in Chicago, while Kagan headed for academia.

But all three also shared commonalities -- of experience, training and even geography -- that have helped place them on the White House's short list to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

All three have ties to Chicago -- and by that token, to President Obama. Garland was born there. Wood and Kagan lectured at the University of Chicago, where Obama once taught constitutional law. Garland and Kagan, like Obama, are Harvard Law graduates.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-supreme-court11-2010apr11,0,5194775.story


= Obama knows them better than we do.