JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY

Born July 23, 1936
Nominated by President Reagan in 1987
Sworn in February 18, 1988

Justice Anthony Kennedy is often a swing voter when it comes to court decisions. Even though Justice Kennedy proclaims he is a Roman Catholic his views on abortion and gay rights have often disappointed conservatives that put him on the high court. He seems to enjoy his role and shows no sign of retiring or quitting any time soon.

Justice Kennedy writes many of his decisions without any footnotes and with a strong philosophical tone. Even though he has disappointed many conservatives, he has agreed with conservative justices more often than he has agreed with liberal justices.

Justice Kennedy has spent most of his life in the area of Law. He has attended such schools as Stanford, Harvard, and the London School of Economics. He practiced or taught law for many years before getting involved in the more political area of government.