Law professor who clerked with Gorsuch can discuss 'outstanding nominee' to Supreme Court, upcoming confirmation battle

LAWRENCE — President Donald Trump announced Judge Neil Gorsuch as his nomination to fill the vacant seat of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday night. The nomination comes just over a week into his presidency, and the nomination is surrounded by controversy. Senate Democrats suggested they would filibuster the nomination even before it was announced Gorsuch would be the nominee.

Stephen McAllister, E.S. & Tom W. Hampton Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Kansas School of Law, is available to discuss the nomination and confirmation process with media. A constitutional law expert, McAllister has argued before the Supreme Court nine times. He can discuss Gorsuch's qualifications, previous judicial service, chance of being confirmed, possible filibuster of his nomination, President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland and related topics.

“I have known Judge Gorsuch for many years, in part because we both clerked for Justice Byron White, he shortly after me, and we’ve remained in contact over the years about various topics, including law clerks, hiring and events involving his court, the Tenth Circuit. He is an outstanding nominee,” McAllister said.

Gorsuch is slated to succeed Antonin Scalia, who died in 2016. Obama nominated Garland to fill the position, but Senate Republicans refused to grant him a hearing.

McAllister, who is also Kansas solicitor general, clerked for justices White and Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court. He is an expert in both federal and state constitutional law as well as Supreme Court history and Supreme Court practice. He most recently appeared before the court in October 2015.

To schedule an interview, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.