I'm Elizabeth Lattery and welcome to SCOTUS 101, where we break down what's happening at the Supreme Court, what the justices are up to, and other things related to our favorite branch of government.

This week, I'm joined once again by John Michael Seibler, and we're sharing Christmas gift ideas for that SCOTUS nerd in your life and an interview with the man who literally

wrote the book on appellate advocacy, Charles Rothfeld. But first, a few Supreme Court headlines.

So first up, we have an answer to one of the sweet mysteries of life. How will the retired

Justice Kennedy spend his retirement? And it appears that he's going to continue to spend a lot of

his time at the court.

On the third, he sat in the court's VIP section to observe oral argument in a case involving federal retirement benefits, surely by happenstance.

The case is Dawson against Steger, where former U.S. Marshall is challenging the state of West Virginia's allegedly disparate tax treatment of his retirement benefits.

And after noting the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, Chief Justice John Roberts

read some correspondence between the sitting justices and Kennedy into the record. In the first letter,

the sitting justices thanked Kennedy for his service, saying, quote, we remain keenly aware of your

absence on the bench and in our

conference. We are heartened that you have maintained an active presence in the building,

and we take great comfort that you remain our valued colleague here. The letter ends wishing

Kennedy well in his retirement. And in a second letter from Kennedy to the sitting justices,

Kennedy states, quote, this reply is not to say farewell, for it is my hope to linger here, to be with all of you in the days and years to come, close quote.

Kennedy concluded his letter thanking the justices for their gifts of guidance, understanding, and above all, the priceless bond of friendship.

It sounds like Kennedy is definitely lingering around the court.

Not going anywhere.

Yeah, the justice's letter to him sounds a bit like, all right, maybe it's time for you to

head back to California, AMK.

We're ready for you to go.

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