Hardiman, if Nominated and Confirmed, Would Be the Third Pittsburgher to Sit on the Supreme Court.

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | July 9, 2018

No. 1,527

Thomas Hardiman, the Pittsburgher on the list of potential Supreme Court nominees, would be the third Pittsburgher to sit on the Supreme Court. The first was Henry Baldwin, who was appointed by Andrew Jackson in 1830.  The second was Justice George Shiras, who was appointed in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison.

Although Baldwin had established a successful law practice in Pittsburgh in the 1790’s, he moved to Crawford County, where he was elected the first District Attorney and served two terms in Congress. Strictly speaking, he was no longer a Pittsburgh resident when he was appointed to the Court.

Image: Wikipedia

Justice Shiras served until 1903, when he resigned, having announced in advance his intention to serve only ten years. He had never previously  judged a case, nor had he held any public office. He was a prominent and respected private law practitioner, who often represented Pittsburgh’s rising industrial enterprises. He was recommended to Harrison by an influential relative, James G. Blaine, former Presidential Candidate who was Harrison’s Secretary of State.

Depending upon which prognostication you read, Hardiman is either the favorite, co-favorite or out of the running.  The President is said to like his story — son of a taxi driver, worked his way through school, first in his family to graduate from college. Judge Hardiman sits on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

CLT

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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