Justice Stevens to Retire?

There’s speculation that 89-year-old Justice John Paul Stevens, the liberal stalwart on the court, may soon announce his retirement.  Justice Stevens has reportedly hired only one law clerk for the term starting in October 2010. Usually, justices hire four.

Of course, Stevens still has time to hire, and there would be no shortage of brilliant recent law grads eager to fill those spots. But traditionally, that hiring his done more than a year in advance.

If Stevens were to retire, it would likely not fundamentally alter the ideological dynamic on the court, since President Obama would be able to choose his replacement. Still, Justice Stevens, as the most senior judge on the court, commands a level of respect and authority over court procedures that a new justice would not easily be able to replace.