Associate Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito

Early Life and Education

Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. was born on April 1, 1950, in Trenton, New Jersey. He attended Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1972, graduating summa cum laude. Alito then received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1975.

Professional Career

After law school, Alito worked as a law clerk for Judge Leonard I. Garth of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then served as Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States from 1985 to 1987. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush appointed Alito to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, where he served until his Supreme Court nomination.

Nomination to the Supreme Court

On October 31, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Alito to replace Sandra Day O'Connor, who was retiring. Alito's nomination was contentious, with Democrats expressing concerns about his conservative views. However, he was ultimately confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 58-42 on January 31, 2006.

Supreme Court Tenure

Alito has been an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court since 2006. He is considered a conservative jurist and has often voted with the Court's conservative bloc. Alito has written significant opinions in numerous major cases, including the landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision in 2010, which overturned campaign finance restrictions.

Conclusion

Samuel Alito is a highly influential Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. His conservative jurisprudence has often shaped the Court's decisions on critical issues. Alito's tenure on the Court is expected to continue for many years to come.