Supreme Court

Supreme_Court_Kagan#5.jpg

IN AND OUT: Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan participated in the day's first case, but left before the second case to avoid any conflict of interest. (Associated Press)

20100930-201218-pic-489504182.jpg

ON THE SIDELINES: Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan can't hear about half the cases this term because of her previous involvement. (Associated Press)

** FILE ** Gay rights activists demonstrate in favor of the legality of adoptions by gay couples outside the Supreme Court in Mexico City on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010. The high court on Monday upheld a Mexico City law allowing the adoptions. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

20100808-190011-pic-146887562.jpg

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2010 file photo, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is photographed in her chambers in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

APTOPIX Kagan Supreme_Bone.jpg

Elena Kagan is sworn in as the Supreme Court's newest member as Chief Justice John Roberts, right, administers the judicial oath, at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. The Bible is held by Jeffrey Minear, center, counselor to the chief justice. Kagan, 50, who replaces retired Justice John Paul Stevens, becomes the fourth woman to sit on the high court, and is the first Supreme Court justice in nearly four decades with no previous experience as a judge. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Obama Kagan Supreme C_Bone-2.jpg

President Barack Obama applauds Elena Kagan during a ceremony to mark her confirmation to become the next Supreme Court justice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. Kagan is the first Supreme Court nominee in nearly 40 years with no experience as a judge, and her addition will mark the first time that three women will serve on the nine-member court together. She was sworn in Saturday as the successor to retired Justice John Paul Stevens. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Obama Kagan Supreme C_Bone-1.jpg

U.S. solicitor general Elena Kagan smiles in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, during a ceremony with President Barack Obama after her confirmation as Supreme Court justice by the Senate on Thursday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

20100805-214530-pic-879493221.jpg

Associated Press YOUNGEST MEMBER: Elena Kagan is scheduled to be sworn in Saturday for a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court.

20100802-194130-pic-526163939.jpg

Associated Press The Senate is expected to vote this week on Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court.

20100720-200846-pic-87860629.jpg

ASSOCIATED PRESS Sen. Charles E. Grassley hears out fellow Republican Lindsey Graham on Tuesday before a Judiciary Committee vote on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.

Kagan Supreme Court_Thir.jpg

** FILE ** Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan (foreground) listens to questions from Sen. Jeff Sessions (pictured on a video screen), Alabama Republican, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, during Ms. Kagan's confirmation hearing. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

APTOPIX Kagan Supreme_Wats.jpg

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 30, 2010, before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on her nomination. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

kagan_101.jpg

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, President Obama's pick to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, testifies on the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 30, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

kagan_1672

The hands of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan move as she testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 30, 2010, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

kagan_1671

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 30, 2010, before the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

kagan_1670

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Democrat, questions Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 30, 2010, as she testified before the committee's confirmation hearing. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

kagan_1669

Committee Chair Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont Democrat, (right) speaks with Ranking Member Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican, as Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, President Obama's pick to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, testifies on the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 30, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

kagan_1668

Committee Chair Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vermont Democrat (right), speaks with ranking member Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican, as Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, President Obama's pick to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, testifies on the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 30, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

kagan_1667

Committee Chair Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont Democrat, takes a photo as ranking member Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican, smiles as they wait for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, President Obama's pick to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, to testify on the third day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 30, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

kagan_1666