Although the focus of this blog for nearly 13 years has been, and continues to be, Delaware corporate and commercial law, along with related practice topics such as legal ethics, the topic of the U.S. Supreme Court transcends that niche and in many instances controls state law decisions even on corporate and commercial law issues. That prelude is my justification for including this short post about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. A recent article chronicles the inspirational story of his life that began dirt poor–literally–with his single mother trying to take care of him and his brother, with a job that paid her $10-per-week, and ultimately being raised by his grandparents in the segregated South. See Myron Magnet, The Founders’ Grandson, Part I, City Journal (Autumn 2017).

Regardless of whether one agrees with his views on the law, or his past political affiliation, a reader would need to be stone cold heartless not to be inspired by his rise to the pinnacle of the legal profession from the humblest of beginnings. In addition to his grandfather’s influence and guidance, he credits perseverance and hard work among the secrets to his success. I have the greatest respect for him.