My Own Words

This final section of Ginsberg’s writings is a sampling of various writings and circumstances that justices encounter during the annual term of the court. The biographers break these samples into four distinct categories. The first is “workways,” describing how the justices, and Ginsburg in particular, go about their duties. The second is “judging,” which highlights the great distinction among the justices, as some are originalists, who resist interpretation of the original Constitution, and others, like Ginsburg, perceive the Constitution to be a living document whose principles are adaptable to current circumstances. The third is what the biographers refer to as “side glances and the equality ideal.” Here, Ginsberg focuses on the wisdom and experiences of other jurists and principalities in regard to what valuable insights they might provide to US jurisprudence. Finally, the justice discusses several specific cases in which the court rendered judgment during the 2015-2016 calendar year.

In this chapter, Ginsburg describes the procedures that the court follows in making decisions about cases. She explains that, of the 6,000-7,000 requests the court receives to consider cases, the number of petitions they actually review is between 100 and 300. Eventually, between 70 to 80 cases receive scheduling for consideration during each term.