description Anthony M. Kennedy Overview
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1988 to 2018, appointed by Ronald Reagan, who served as a pivotal swing vote on abortion, gay rights, and federalism cases.
insights Why this score
Anthony M. Kennedy ranks #61 of 270 in the Judge ranking, behind Stephen G. Breyer, ahead of Lord Hope of Craighead.
Major swing justice in landmark liberty and equality cases; criticized for doctrinal looseness and expansive judicial discretion.
help Anthony M. Kennedy FAQ
Which major LGBTQ rights opinions did Anthony Kennedy write?
Kennedy wrote the majority opinions in Lawrence v. Texas, United States v. Windsor, and Obergefell v. Hodges. Obergefell established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015.
Why was Anthony Kennedy called the Supreme Court's swing justice?
After Sandra Day O'Connor retired in 2006, Kennedy frequently occupied the ideological center of a closely divided Court. His vote was decisive in prominent 5-4 cases involving marriage, campaign finance, and capital punishment.
What position did Kennedy take on abortion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey?
Kennedy joined Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and David Souter in the controlling joint opinion that preserved Roe's central holding. Casey also adopted the undue-burden standard for evaluating abortion restrictions.
Who replaced Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court?
Kennedy retired on July 31, 2018, after roughly three decades on the Court. President Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed to fill the vacancy.
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