From Deseret News archives:
U.'s Young knew Roberts in D.C.
They were both at separate times clerks for Rehnquist
They once ran in the same legal circles in Washington, D.C., and Young recalls having lunch with Roberts on occasion to talk about the latest Supreme Court decisions.
"He's enormously smart," Young said over the phone Wednesday.
Young said Roberts is one of several justices whom he would feel comfortable calling to give a speech or commencement address on the U. campus.
The names on that list include the retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whom Roberts will replace if the Republican-controlled Senate confirms Bush's choice.
Young and Roberts are both Harvard law graduates and were law clerks, though not at the same time, to Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Since 1978, Young said he and Roberts have attended reunions held for former clerks of Rehnquist. Young calls Roberts a "terrifically balanced" lawyer.
"He's not an ideologue, in my opinion," Young said.
Young became the U. president last year after serving as dean of the George Washington University Law School. During his time in Washington Young followed Roberts' career.
"I think he had a successful tenure in the solicitor general's office," Young said.
Roberts, currently a federal appeals court judge, was the principal deputy solicitor general between 1989 and 1993, considered the government's second-highest lawyer. It was then he argued cases before the Supreme Court.
"I've had justices tell me that they consider him to be one of the most skilled, helpful, informative advocates who appear before the court," Young said. "My guess is that you will find that opinion widely shared in Washington."
Young said he sent Roberts a note of congratulations this week upon hearing about the nomination.
While at George Washington University, Young said justices he persuaded to speak there included Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, O'Connor and Rehnquist. Young brought Ruth Bader Ginsberg to speak at Columbia University where he taught mostly Japanese law from 1978 to 1998.
Young is excited by the thought of at least inviting Roberts to the U.
"I would love to get him out here to speak," he said.
Another benefit to the U., Young added, might be his ability to call Roberts and suggest certain U. law students for clerk positions in the Supreme Court.
Contributing: Associated Press
E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com
Comments
- Island whipping doesn't thrill Andersen 9:18 p.m.
- 5A all-state soccer first team 9:14 p.m.
- Canyons chief named law group's v.p. 9:06 p.m.
- Rock on 9:00 p.m.
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman 8:57 p.m.
- 3A soccer all-state first team 8:56 p.m.
- U. hopes to keep clicking 8:28 p.m.
- Steelers lead Broncos at halftime 8:13 p.m.
- Jazz win in N.Y. for 1st time since '04 8:02 p.m.
- Suns outlast 76ers, 119-115 7:51 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
269 - House passes health care bill
225 - Lobo suspended
181 - TCU showdown has big implications
177 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
113 - Thousands protest health bill
111 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
95
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
It's official Coach needs a tuna fish sandwich and a road map and someone to...
Were you watching the same game that the rest of us were? Sharp was ready to...
Yes Unemployment officially only hit 7.8% under Carter with Inflation of...
Once again the Jazz prove they are unable to put together a solid 48 minutes...
I like to listen to a guy who is "...on loan from God...". I like to...
Compare to the Florida Football "eye-gouging" incident where the player just...
This is why BYU will be always be in contention for a MWC championship and...
My comments should say alot about me I don't go shooting my mouth off about...
Ask any defense attorney or judge. Any first time offender who turns himself...
I agree these are dedicated students, but $1,000.00+ each?? Just for one...


You can be the first to comment on this story.