The Supreme and appellate courts will see major changes under the new administration. A report by Vanderbilt University states that there is a likelihood that as many as three Supreme Court justices could leave the court under the Obama administration, citing that “if a justice is considering stepping down, it tends to happen when the party of the president that nominated that justice is in power.”

Besides the possible task of filling seats in the Supreme Court, Obama is presented with the mission of filling 13 vacancies in the court of appeals and 41 vacancies in the district courts. Those numbers may rise as Clinton and Carter appointees decide to step down under this administration to guarantee a democratic replacement.

The new presidential administration ensures not only a shift in political power, but also a shift within the U.S. court system – a change that will undoubtedly affect tort law.

Emily Holbrook
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