Confirmed as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 29, 2005
One of President Bush's least contentious picks for the bench
On the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since June 2003
During the Clinton administration, became a highly sought-after private lawyer in Supreme Court cases, representing clients such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association in a discrimination case, and carmaker Toyota in winning limits on a disabled workers claims
Had been in line to join the appeals court in 1992, but nomination during the first Bush administration died in a Democratic-controlled Senate
146 members of the D.C. Bar signed a letter urging his confirmation, including officials from the Clinton administration
Nominated by President Bush on Jan. 7, 2003, to U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; confirmed by Senate on May 8, 2003
Principal deputy solicitor general, U.S. Justice Department, 1989-93
Lawyer, Hogan & Hartson, Washington, D.C., 1986-89, 1993-2003
Associate counsel to President Reagan, White House Counsel's Office, 1982-86
Special assistant to attorney general, U.S. Justice Department, 1981-82
Law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist when he was an associate justice, 1980-81
Law clerk for Judge Henry Friendly, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 1979-80

"Roe v. Wade is the settled law of the land. ... There's nothing in my personal views that would prevent me from fully and faithfully applying that precedent."

BA, Harvard University, 1976; JD, Harvard Law School, 1979

Born Jan. 27, 1955
Native of Buffalo, N.Y.
Wife, Jane; son, John, and daughter, Josephine

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