Samuel Alito

Samuel Alito is an American jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2006, he succeeded Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Known for his conservative judicial philosophy, Alito previously served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Early life and education

Samuel Alito was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Samuel Alito Sr., an Italian immigrant who worked at the New Jersey Legislature, and Rose Alito, a schoolteacher. He grew up in the suburb of Hamilton Township and attended Steinert High School. Alito earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1972, where he chaired the student conference, the American Whig–Cliosophic Society. He then attended Yale Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1975. During his time at Yale University, he served as an editor for the Yale Law Journal.

Legal career

After law school, Alito clerked for Judge Leonard I. Garth on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then joined the United States Army Reserve, serving in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Alito began his career in the public sector as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of New Jersey, working under then-U.S. Attorney William W. Robertson. In 1985, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel within the United States Department of Justice under Attorney General Edwin Meese. Alito later served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1987 to 1990, appointed by President Ronald Reagan.

Supreme Court tenure

Nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States by President George W. Bush on October 31, 2005, Alito faced confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. His nomination followed the withdrawn nomination of Harriet Miers. After a contentious process, the United States Senate confirmed him by a vote of 58–42 on January 31, 2006. He received his commission and took the judicial oath, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Alito has participated in numerous landmark cases, often forming part of the Court's conservative bloc alongside Justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, and later Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

Judicial philosophy and notable opinions

Alito is widely regarded as a textualist and originalist, with a judicial philosophy emphasizing a narrow interpretation of constitutional provisions and statutes. He is a consistent voice for robust protections of First Amendment rights, particularly regarding the Free Exercise Clause and political speech. In Citizens United v. FEC, he joined the majority opinion striking down campaign finance restrictions. He authored the majority opinion in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which held that closely held corporations could be exempt from certain regulations under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, he authored the majority opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. He has frequently dissented in cases involving Affirmative action, such as Fisher v. University of Texas, and LGBT rights, including Obergefell v. Hodges.

Personal life and recognition

Alito is married to Martha-Ann Bomgardner, a former law librarian; they have two children. The family resides in West Caldwell, New Jersey. He is a practicing Roman Catholic and has received several honorary degrees from institutions like Seton Hall University and the University of Notre Dame. Alito is a member of the Federalist Society and has been a frequent speaker at its events. In 2008, he was awarded the Francis Boyer Award from the American Enterprise Institute. He maintains a reputation as a private individual who enjoys baseball, particularly following the Philadelphia Phillies, and opera.

Category:1950 births Category:American judges Category:Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States Category:Princeton University alumni Category:Yale Law School alumni