Supreme Court / Appointed 1990 / Served to 2009
Portrait of David Hackett Souter

David Hackett Souter

Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States

Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and confirmed by the Senate 909, David Hackett Souter was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1966. He previously served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 158 opinions of the Court ↓ Sources ↓

Lived
1939–2025
Appointed by
George H.W. Bush, 1990
Confirmed
90–9
Education
Harvard College 1961 · Harvard Law School 1966
Succeeded by
Sonia Sotomayor

Federal judicial service

YearCourtAppointed byVote
1990First CircuitG.H.W. Bush (R)Voice vote
1990Supreme CourtG.H.W. Bush (R)90–9

Party letters show the appointing president’s party, not the judge’s own. A voice vote means the chamber approved aloud. No senator-by-senator tally is recorded.

Confirmation vote

Nomination Confirmed 909 on October 2, 1990 · 101st Congress, Roll Call 259. Each senator links to their judicial-voting record.

Voted to confirm · 90

46 D, 44 R

Voted against · 9

9 D

Did not vote · 1

1 R

Education

Opinions of the Court

Souter delivered 158 opinions of the Court in the covered window (October Term 1990 – October Term 2008). Most cited: Bell Atlantic Corporation, et al. v. William Twombly, et al. (146,720 citations).

YearCaseCitationCited
2009Safford Unified School District #1, et Al.v. April Redding557 U.S. 364 (2009)365
2009The Travelers Indemnity Company, et al. v. Pearlie Bailey et al.557 U.S. 137 (2009)579
2009Salman Khade Abuelhawa v. United States556 U.S. 816 (2009)
2009At&t Corporation v. Noreen Hulteen et al.556 U.S. 701 (2009)
2009Johnnie Corley v. United States556 U.S. 303 (2009)913
2009United States v. Eurodif S. a. et al.555 U.S. 305 (2009)139
2009Kari E. Kennedy, Executrix of the Estate of William Patrick Kennedy, Deceased v. Plan Administrator for Dupont Savings and Investment Plan et al.555 U.S. 285 (2009)279
2009Vicky S. Crawford v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee555 U.S. 271 (2009)768
2008Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker554 U.S. 471 (2008)
2008Rothgery v. Gillespie County554 U.S. 191 (2008)442
2008Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Lab.554 U.S. 84 (2008)194
2008Department of Revenue of Kentucky, et al. v. George W. Davis, et Ux553 U.S. 328 (2008)349
2008Hall Street Associates, L.l.c. v. Mattel, Inc552 U.S. 576 (2008)1661
2008Michael H. Boulware v. United States552 U.S. 421 (2008)
2007Michael a. Watson v. United States552 U.S. 74 (2007)209
2007Charles Wilkie, et al. v. Harvey Frank Robbins551 U.S. 537 (2007)682
2007Bruce Edward Brendlin v. California551 U.S. 249 (2007)1523
2007Safeco Insurance Company of America, et al. v. Charles Burr, et al.551 U.S. 47 (2007)1225
2007Bell Atlantic Corporation, et al. v. William Twombly, et al.550 U.S. 544 (2007)146720
2007Ec Term of Years Trust v. United States550 U.S. 429 (2007)127
2007Environmental Defense, et al. v. Duke Energy Corporation, et al.549 U.S. 561 (2007)190
2006Jose Antonio Lopez v. Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General549 U.S. 47 (2006)587
2006Eric Michael Clark v. Arizona548 U.S. 735 (2006)249
2006Humberto Fernandez-Vargas v. Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General548 U.S. 30 (2006)429
2006Carl Kircher, et al. v. Putnam Funds Trust et al.547 U.S. 633 (2006)305
2006S. D. Warren Company v. Maine Board of Environmental Protection et al.547 U.S. 370 (2006)143
2006Michael Hartman, Frank Kormann, Pierce McIntosh, Norman Robbins, and Robert Edwards v. William G. Moore, Jr.547 U.S. 250 (2006)1622
2006Georgia v. Scott Fitz Randolph547 U.S. 103 (2006)1203
2006Richard Will, et al. v. Susan Hallock, et al.546 U.S. 345 (2006)526
2005Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc., et al. v. Grokster, Ltd., et al.545 U.S. 913 (2005)539
2005McCreary County, Kentucky, et al. v. American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky et al.545 U.S. 844 (2005)509
2005Ronald Rompilla v. Jeffrey a. Beard, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections545 U.S. 374 (2005)1891
2005Grable & Sons Metal Products, Inc. v. Darue Engineering & Manufacturing545 U.S. 308 (2005)1930
2005Thomas Joe Miller-El v. Doug Dretke, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division545 U.S. 231 (2005)1931
2005Robert Johnson, Jr. v. United States544 U.S. 295 (2005)427
2005Reginald Shepard v. United States544 U.S. 13 (2005)4574
2004Kp Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc., et al.543 U.S. 111 (2004)281
2004Jose Francisco Sosa v. Humberto Alvarez-Machain et al.542 U.S. 692 (2004)1133
2004Missouri v. Patrice Seibert.542 U.S. 600 (2004)1541
2004United States v. Carlos Dominguez Benitez542 U.S. 74 (2004)2402
2004Central Laborers' Pension Fund v. Thomas E. Heinz et al.541 U.S. 739 (2004)173
2004Basim Omar Sabri v. United States541 U.S. 600 (2004)466
2004Jeremiah W. (jay) Nixon, Attorney General of Missouri v. Missouri Municipal League et al.541 U.S. 125 (2004)121
2004Buck Doe v. Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor540 U.S. 614 (2004)396
2004General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. v. Dennis Cline et al.540 U.S. 581 (2004)412
2003United States v. Lashawn Lowell Banks540 U.S. 31 (2003)343
2003American Insurance Association, et al. v. John Garamendi, Insurance Commissioner, State of California539 U.S. 396 (2003)319
2003Federal Election Commission v. Christine Beaumont et al.539 U.S. 146 (2003)176
2003Phillip T. Breuer v. Jim'S Concrete of Brevard, Inc.538 U.S. 691 (2003)122
2003Joseph C. Roell, Petra Garibay, and James Reagan v. Jon Michael Withrow538 U.S. 580 (2003)321
2003Cook County, Illinois v. United States Ex Rel. Janet Chandler538 U.S. 119 (2003)281
2003United States v. White Mountain Apache Tribe537 U.S. 465 (2003)738
2003Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, et al. v. Guardianship Estate of Danny Keffeler et al.537 U.S. 371 (2003)422
2003Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security v. Peabody Coal Company et al.537 U.S. 149 (2003)416
2002Warren Christopher, Former Secretary of State, et al. v. Jennifer K. Harbury536 U.S. 403 (2002)2579
2002Rush Prudential Hmo, Inc. v. Debra C. Moran et al.536 U.S. 355 (2002)300
2002Jpmorgan Chase Bank v. Traffic Stream (bvi) Infrastructure Limited536 U.S. 88 (2002)
2002Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Mario Echazabal536 U.S. 73 (2002)322
2002Verizon Communications Inc., et al. v. Federal Communications Commission, et al.535 U.S. 467 (2002)247
2002Leonard Edelman v. Lynchburg College535 U.S. 106 (2002)238
2002United States v. Alphonso Vonn535 U.S. 55 (2002)2081
2002William Arthur Kelly v. South Carolina534 U.S. 246 (2002)186
2001Federal Election Commission v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee533 U.S. 431 (2001)205
2001Idaho v. United States et al.533 U.S. 262 (2001)
2001United States v. Mead Corporation533 U.S. 218 (2001)3086
2001United Dominion Industries, Inc. v. United States532 U.S. 822 (2001)
2001Timothy Booth v. C. O. Churner, et al.532 U.S. 731 (2001)3581
2001Gail Atwater, et al. v. City of Lago Vista et al.532 U.S. 318 (2001)1388
2001Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs v. Klamath Water Users Protective Association532 U.S. 1 (2001)1012
2001Brentwood Academy v. Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, et al.531 U.S. 288 (2001)1606
2000Stephen P. Crosby, Secretary of Administration and Finance of Massachusetts, et al., v. National Foreign Trade Council530 U.S. 363 (2000)1032
2000Lori Pegram, et al. v. Cynthia Herdrich530 U.S. 211 (2000)1043
2000Thomas E. Raleigh, Chapter 7 Trustee for the Estate of William J. Stoecker, v. Illinois Department of Revenue530 U.S. 15 (2000)554
2000Cornell Johnson v. United States529 U.S. 694 (2000)941
2000Cortez Byrd Chips, Inc. v. Bill Harbert Construction Company, Etc.529 U.S. 193 (2000)196
2000Mark Rotella v. Angela M. Wood, et al.528 U.S. 549 (2000)698
2000Jeremiah W. (jay) Nixon, Attorney General of Missouri, et al. v. Shrink Missouri Government PAC et al.528 U.S. 377 (2000)485
2000Carl T. C. Gutierrez and Madeleine Z. Bordallo v. Joseph F. Ada and Felix P. Camacho528 U.S. 250 (2000)
1999Esteban Ortiz, et al. v. Fibreboard Corporation, et al.527 U.S. 815 (1999)776
1999Albertson'S, Inc. v. Hallie Kirkingburg527 U.S. 555 (1999)520
1999California Dental Association v. Federal Trade Commission526 U.S. 756 (1999)202
1999William J. Clinton, President of the United States, et al. v. James T. Goldsmith526 U.S. 529 (1999)374
1999El Paso Natural Gas Company, et al. v. Laura Neztsosie et al.526 U.S. 473 (1999)314
1999Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association v. 203 North Lasalle Street Partnership526 U.S. 434 (1999)353
1999Nathaniel Jones v. United States526 U.S. 227 (1999)2200
1998Beth Ann Faragher v. City of Boca Raton524 U.S. 775 (1998)6226
1998United States v. Aloyzas Balsys524 U.S. 666 (1998)174
1998Bonnie L. Geissal, Beneficiary and Representative of the Estate of James W. Geissal, Deceased v. Moore Medical Corporation et al.524 U.S. 74 (1998)
1998United States v. Bestfoods, et al.524 U.S. 51 (1998)1059
1998County of Sacramento, et al. v. Teri Lewis and Thomas Lewis, Personal Representatives of the Estate of Philip Lewis, Deceased523 U.S. 833 (1998)6212
1998State of New Jersey v. State of New York523 U.S. 767 (1998)
1998David R. Beach, et Ux. v. Ocwen Federal Bank523 U.S. 410 (1998)412
1998Lexecon Inc. et al. v. Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach et al.523 U.S. 26 (1998)670
1998Fidelity Financial Services, Inc. v. Richard v Fink, Trustee522 U.S. 211 (1998)
1997Murphy J. Foster, Jr., Governor of Louisiana, et al. v. G. Scott Love, Paul S. Bergeron, Kathleen B. Balhoff, and Bennie Baker-Bourgeois522 U.S. 67 (1997)
1997C. Martin Lawyer, III v. Department of Justice et al.521 U.S. 567 (1997)
1997Aaron Lindh v. James P. Murphy, Warden521 U.S. 320 (1997)4248
1997Metropolitan Stevedore Company v. John Rambo et al.521 U.S. 121 (1997)252
1997Bernadine Suitum v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency520 U.S. 725 (1997)426
1997United States v. David W. Lanier520 U.S. 259 (1997)2070
1997United States v. Jerry E. Wells and Kenneth R. Steele519 U.S. 482 (1997)565
1997General Motors Corporation v. Roger W. Tracy, Tax Commissioner of Ohio519 U.S. 278 (1997)447
1997Johnny Lynn Old Chief v. United States519 U.S. 172 (1997)2913
1996United States v. Winstar Corporation, et al.518 U.S. 839 (1996)938
1996United States v. Reorganized Cf&i Fabricators of Utah, Inc., et al.518 U.S. 213 (1996)257
1996Auciello Iron Works, Inc. v. National Labor Relations Board517 U.S. 781 (1996)109
1996United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 751 v. Brown Group, Inc., Dba Brown Shoe Company517 U.S. 544 (1996)662
1996United States v. Thomas R. Noland, Trustee for Debtor First Truck Lines, Inc.517 U.S. 535 (1996)270
1996Herbert Markman and Positek, Inc. v. Westview Instruments, Inc. and Althon Enterprises, Inc.517 U.S. 370 (1996)3226
1996Fulton Corporation v. Janice H. Faulkner, Secretary of Revenue of North Carolina516 U.S. 325 (1996)220
1995William Field and Norinne Field v. Philip W. Mans516 U.S. 59 (1995)1626
1995John J. Hurley and South Boston Allied War Veterans Council v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston, Etc., et al.515 U.S. 557 (1995)874
1995North Star Steel Company v. Charles a. Thomas et al.515 U.S. 29 (1995)245
1995State of Nebraska v. States of Wyoming and Colorado515 U.S. 1 (1995)
1995New York State Conference of Blue Cross & Blue Shield Plans, et al. v. Travelers Insurance Company, et al.514 U.S. 645 (1995)1597
1995Curtis Lee Kyles v. John P. Whitley, Warden514 U.S. 419 (1995)6003
1995Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services v. Margaret Whitecotton et al.514 U.S. 268 (1995)193
1995Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Jefferson Lines, Inc.514 U.S. 175 (1995)415
1995Jerome B. Grubart, Inc. v. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company et al.513 U.S. 527 (1995)746
1994Jesse Brown, Secretary of Veterans Affairs v. Fred P. Gardner513 U.S. 115 (1994)1044
1994Bolley Johnson, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, et al. v. Miguel De Grandy et al.512 U.S. 997 (1994)1107
1994Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Louis Grumet et al.512 U.S. 687 (1994)403
1994Karen Livadas v. Victoria Bradshaw, California Labor Commissioner512 U.S. 107 (1994)1093
1994Digital Equipment Corporation v. Desktop Direct, Inc.511 U.S. 863 (1994)964
1994Dee Farmer v. Edward Brennan, Warden, et al.511 U.S. 825 (1994)28443
1994Security Services, Inc. v. Kmart Corporation511 U.S. 431 (1994)
1994United States v. John O. Irvine and First Trust National Association511 U.S. 224 (1994)
1994Luther R. Campbell Aka Luke Skyywalker, et al. v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.510 U.S. 569 (1994)629
1993Janet Reno, Attorney General, et al. v. Catholic Social Services, Inc., et al.509 U.S. 43 (1993)732
1993Concrete Pipe and Products of California, Inc. v. Construction Laborers Pension Trust for Southern California508 U.S. 602 (1993)1427
1993United States National Bank of Oregon v. Independent Insurance Agents of America, Inc., et al.508 U.S. 439 (1993)1163
1993Keene Corporation v. United States508 U.S. 200 (1993)894
1993Michael E. Lincoln, Acting Director of the Indian Health Service, et al. v. Grover Vigil et al.508 U.S. 182 (1993)493
1993Pamela Withrow v. Robert Allen Williams, Jr.507 U.S. 680 (1993)655
1993Saudi Arabia, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Royspec v. Scott Nelson et Ux.507 U.S. 349 (1993)711
1993United States v. William F. Hill, et Ux.506 U.S. 546 (1993)
1993James Rowland, Former Director, California Department of Corrections, et al. v. California Men'S Colony, Unit II Men'S Advisory Council506 U.S. 194 (1993)2320
1992Marc Gilbert Doggett v. United States505 U.S. 647 (1992)3106
1992American National Red Cross v. S. G. and a. E.505 U.S. 247 (1992)190
1992Burlington Northern Railroad Company v. William D. Ford and Thomas L. Johnson504 U.S. 648 (1992)
1992Dennis Sochor v. Florida504 U.S. 527 (1992)346
1992United States v. Thompson/center Arms Company504 U.S. 505 (1992)217
1992Harold Ray Wade v. United States504 U.S. 181 (1992)1295
1992United States Department of Energy v. Ohio, et al.503 U.S. 607 (1992)256
1992Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, et al. v. Robert T. Darden503 U.S. 318 (1992)1334
1992United States v. R. L. C.503 U.S. 291 (1992)169
1992Robert G. Holmes, Jr. v. Securities Investor Protection Corporation, et al.503 U.S. 258 (1992)1453
1992Holywell Corporation, et al. v. Fred Stanton Smith, Etc., et al.503 U.S. 47 (1992)117
1992Barbara J. Norman, et al. v. Dorothy Reed, et al.502 U.S. 279 (1992)538
1991William 'Sky' King v. St. Vincent'S Hospital502 U.S. 215 (1991)703
1991Virginia Bankshares, Inc., et al. v. Doris I. Sandberg, et al.501 U.S. 1083 (1991)584
1991Edward Harold Schad, Jr. v. Arizona501 U.S. 624 (1991)1454
1991James B. Beam Distilling Co. v. Georgia et al.501 U.S. 529 (1991)803
1991Keith R. Gollust, et al. v. Ira L. Mendell, Etc., et al.501 U.S. 115 (1991)148
1991Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association v. Angelo J. Solimino501 U.S. 104 (1991)967
1991Dale Robert Yates v. Parker Evatt, Commissioner, South Carolina Department of Corrections, et al.500 U.S. 391 (1991)932
1991State of Illinois v. Commonwealth of Kentucky500 U.S. 380 (1991)
1991James a. Ford v. Georgia498 U.S. 411 (1991)789

Opinions of the Court only: the Court’s slip-opinion tables don’t list dissents or concurrences separately. Earlier opinions arrive with the bound-volume ingest. Browse all Supreme Court opinions.

Questions & answers

Who appointed David Hackett Souter?
President George H.W. Bush appointed David Hackett Souter to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1990.
Was David Hackett Souter appointed by a Democrat or a Republican?
David Hackett Souter was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, a Republican. JudicialFinder records the appointing president's party, not a judge's own politics.
What was David Hackett Souter's confirmation vote?
The Senate confirmed David Hackett Souter 90–9 on October 2, 1990.
Which court was David Hackett Souter on?
David Hackett Souter was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sources

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18 years on the Supreme Court of the United States. Data as of 2026-08-10. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).