Members of Nevada’s legal community show support for nominee to replace Justice Stevens

May 12, 2010

 Washington, D.C.—Influential members of Nevada’s legal and academic communities are already voicing support for Solicitor General Elena Kagan, President Obama’s nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.  As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal, former U.S. Attorney for Nevada Greg Brower and UNLV Boyd School of Law constitutional law professor Thomas McAffee praised Kagan.

Brower, who was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2007 and worked with Kagan during the first year of the Obama Administration, called her a “very personable, very intelligent” attorney “with a great resume.”
 
Brower went on to say, “I didn't notice her having any ideological bent.  She has worked at the highest levels in the Department of Justice. She's been there and done that and will bring that experience [to the court].”
 
McAffee noted her direct experience with the Supreme Court as Solicitor General while dismissing criticism of her lack of judicial experience by noting that many Supreme Court justices were not judges before serving on the Court – including the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

Senator Reid met with Kagan Wednesday morning and said “…she is the right choice to replace Justice Stevens on the Supreme Court.”  He went on to say that “her impressive credentials and understanding of the real-world impact of the Court's rulings on Nevadans and all Americans will serve her well in this role.”  Reid is committed to ensuring a swift, fair and respectful confirmation process for Ms. Kagan