Professor Larson Comments on Supreme Court's Future for Wall Street Journal

Professor Carlton Larson commented for the Wall Street Journal on the potential changes that may come to the U.S. Supreme Court following this year's presidential election.  With one seat on the Court already vacant and the potential for more to open up as elderly justices consider retirement, the next president may have the opportunity to create either a liberal or conservative majority.

Professor Larson said that it is "hard to contemplate" the potential changes that would result if Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton were elected and appointed the Court's first liberal majority since 1969.  "In terms of an aggressive liberal agenda, there probably isn't one right now," he said, adding that "the big gay-rights cases have already been dealt with."  It's likely that a liberal majority would continue to defend mid-20th century precedents that expanded civil rights and upheld social-welfare legislation, he said.

Carlton Larson's research interests focus on constitutional law and legal history, with a strong emphasis on the 18th century.

Primary Category

Tags