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Liberal Bent, 'Empathy' Mark Potential Justice

Diane Wood was Chicago law faculty colleague of Obama's

By Gabriel Winant,  Newser User

Posted May 12, 2009 11:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – In choosing a new Supreme Court justice, President Obama says he wants not just a savvy legal brain, but also someone who can show “empathy.” Diane Wood, his former University of Chicago colleague and a judge on the Seventh Circuit, meets both criteria, the New York Times reports. She’s spent years going head-to-head with some of the nation’s most formidable conservative judges, often winning.

Wood led her court in overturning an order for a Ukrainian immigrant to be deported after she was unable to get a translator. She also ruled to allow Planned Parenthood to use anti-mob laws against demonstrators. Wood is a lifetime member of the legal elite, and even her children learned, on trips, to ask, “Which circuit are we in?” rather than “which state?”

Judge Richard Posner, a fellow Univ. of Chicago professor and 7th Circuit judge, and a major conservative intellectual.
Judge Richard Posner, a fellow Univ. of Chicago professor and 7th Circuit judge, and a major conservative intellectual.   (http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/index.html)
This 2008 photo shows Judge Diane Pamela Woods of the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Wood is a possible nominee to the US Supreme Court.
This 2008 photo shows Judge Diane Pamela Woods of the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Wood is a possible nominee to the US Supreme Court.   (University of Chicago)
President Barack Obama smiles as he makes a surprise appearance during the daily press briefing to speak about the upcoming retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter.
President Barack Obama smiles as he makes a surprise appearance during the daily press briefing to speak about the upcoming retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter.   (AP Photo)
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Diane is a serious and accomplished scholar who has demonstrated the ability to go toe to toe with Dick and Frank. - Geoffrey R. Stone, former provost of U. of Chicago and dean of the law school

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