When Justice Sandra Day O’Connor announced her resignation from the Supreme Court today, the speculation concerning a new justice has begun in earnest.   A  local attorney gave his opinion in the current issue of Reason magazine.

In an article titled “Who Should Reign Supreme?” the magazine polled 12 legal experts from around the country – “from the far left to the hard right” – about who was their favorite sitting Supreme Court justice, who was their all-time favorite Supreme Court justice, and who they would like to see nominated to the court.

Local Walter & Haverfield attorney, Michael McMenamin,  a partner with the Cleveland-based  law firm, discussed Alex Kozinski of the 9th Circuit, a Reagan appointee.  McMenamin also recommended Richard Posner, 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and Robert Douman from the Eastern District of Virginia.

Michael McMenamin, who is the former managing partner of W&H and currently chair of the firm’s Litigation and Employment Section, was quoted in the magazine as saying “There have always been a few hacks on the Supreme Court, but the last three decades have seen an almost unprecedented parade of compromise choices of undistinguished jurists, none of whom had established much, if any, of a judicial reputation before their elevation to the bench.  Few on the highest bench today have managed to rise above their humble and obscure origins.”