U.S.P.S. HONORS SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

Author: Richard L. Bolhouse
Date: 10/06/2009

Are the names Felix Frankfurter, William J. Brennan, Jr., Louis D. Brandeis, and Joseph Story familiar to you? For most, the answer is probably no. However, on September 22nd, these four individuals were honored on U.S. postage stamps, as they are all famous U.S. Supreme Court Justices. Each of these individuals was an extremely smart, articulate, and dedicated public servant. Each of these individuals left their mark on our country due to decisions they rendered regarding issues that were decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Some of those issues impact every one of us yet today.
Recently, two new individuals became Supreme Court Justices. Sonia Sotomayor has just become a United States Supreme Court Justice, and Diane Hathaway was recently elected to the Michigan Supreme Court. Both of these judges will undoubtedly leave their mark on American Jurisprudence, and decisions that they make will impact each of us for years to come.
As lawyers, we find that judges bring their own perspective to each case that they hear. It certainly is possible that issues such as gender, educational background, religious upbringing, work history, and many other factors influence how a judge views a particular case.
The attorneys in our office regularly appear before judges in West Michigan. The judges we appear before, with rare exception, are dedicated, hard-working, intelligent, and do their very best to administer justice in a fair and even-handed manner. Many of the judges’ names, like the four names mentioned above, are names that most people never hear and are certainly not familiar with. Like the four Supreme Court justices being honored by the Postal Service, our local judges exhibit the same talents and skills in dealing with cases that are before them, regardless of who the parties are, the issues involved, or their own personal beliefs. We are indeed fortunate to have talented public servants who are willing to serve our community as judges.