Thomas Goldstein talked about potential Supreme Court nominees, their strengths and weaknesses, and some of the characteristics President Obama would be looking for in a nominee. He reacted to a video clip from May 1, 2009, of President Obama announcing Justice Souder’s retirement and the qualities he would look for in a replacement. Mr. Goldstein talked about the significance of the appointment, the issues that the new justice might face, and the confirmation process. Possible nominees discussed included Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor (shown in a video clip from December 9, 2008), Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Diane Wood (shown in video clips from October 16, 2008, and July 29, 2005), U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan (shown in a video clip from February 9, 2009), Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (shown in a video clip from February 2, 2009), and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (shown in a video clip from January 17, 2009).




Thomas Goldstein is co-head of Akin Gump’s firm wide litigation and Supreme Court practice. He has argued 21 cases before the Supreme Court. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Goldstein teaches Supreme Court Litigation at both Stanford and Harvard Law Schools. Since 2003, Mr. Goldstein has been principally responsible for SCOTUSblog.