Amended Opinions: Misreading the Clerk Hiring Tea Leaves?

Back in this post, Article III Groupie reported on Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's rehiring of the brainy and beautiful Tali Farhadian (who clerked for Justice O'Connor in October Term 2004). A3G attributed the rehiring of Tali to "what SOC anticipates will be her workload at the Court in the weeks (or months) ahead," viewing Tali's return to One First Street as a sign "that Justice O'Connor won't be pulling the ripcord of her robe anytime soon."

A3G's speculation may have been incorrect. Last night, a UTR reader emailed her as follows:

Hi A3G. This is from a reliable source at the Court; I pass it along for your consideration:

"[The] information on Tali is somewhat off. She has been rehired, but (1) that was the plan when she 'left' -- she was just taking a long vacation, and (2) she will be working almost exclusively on SOC's new book.... So this turn of events is unrelated to the Chief's death or to [SOC's] future plans."

How confident were you in your prior report?

A3G's scientific answer: less than 100 percent confident... If you can shed further light on the situation, A3G welcomes your comments by email (and thanks you in advance for your contributions).*

While we're on the subject of corrections about the Elect, please note the conflicting comments about whether John Adams, future clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas, is related to John Adams, second president of the United States. If you can resolve this definitively (the second reader's comment sounds somewhat more authoritative), please contact A3G (or post a comment). Thanks!

* It does not appear, however, that A3G was wrong in suggesting that Justice O'Connor would be sticking around the Court and would not be rescinding her original, conditional retirement (which would take effect "upon the nomination and confirmation of my successor"). Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) recently spoke with Justice O'Connor about the subject, and she told him that she would be willing to remain on the Court until June 2006 if asked. "It would be quite a sacrifice for her, but she's prepared to do it if she is asked," said Senator Specter.

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What's SOC's new book about?