Liberal, feminist' lawyer calls Kavanaugh 'best choice liberals could reasonably hope for

A self-proclaimed “liberal, feminist lawyer” who has argued dozens of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court called Judge Brett Kavanaugh “the best choice that liberals could reasonably hope for” in a Republican-controlled government, according to CNN.

“Obviously I know that Judge Kavanaugh has a conservative judicial outlook,” attorney Lisa Blatt said. “And if he is confirmed, he will have 1 of 9 votes to definitely decide the meaning of the Constitution, including how to read it to protect the reproductive rights of women.”

Blatt’s background

Lisa Blatt, an attorney who has argued more cases (35) before the Supreme Court than any other woman (and won 32 of them), gave the endorsement while acknowledging how little power liberals have in the situation.

“Now, if it were up to me, Justice Ginsburg would have all nine votes,” Blatt told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “But that’s not our system, and the reality is, that the presidency and the Senate, are in Republican hands. Judge Kavanaugh is the best choice that liberals could reasonably hope for in these circumstances.”

Blatt clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and has an established record of taking on liberal causes, often on a pro bono basis.

Why would she back Kavanaugh?

Mark Joseph Stern of Slate has a cynical take on why Blatt put her support behind President Donald Trump’s nominee: “Because rich clients trump justice.”

Blatt is employed by a law firm that has numerous wealthy corporate clients, Arnold and Palmer. While Stern says Arnold and Porter does support some progressive causes, that isn’t the ultimate priority.

“But it will always always value capital over justice,” Stern wrote. “The needs of the paying clients will take priority over the interests of its pro bono practice every single time.

“That is the cardinal rule of Big Law, and it should come as no surprise that Blatt is playing this nomination by the books.”

Blatt has written that friends on the left have and will criticize her for backing Kavanaugh, although that doesn’t change her opinion.

“Sometimes a superstar is just a superstar,” Blatt wrote for Politico last month. “That is the case with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who had long been considered the most qualified nominee for the Supreme Court if Republicans secured the White House. The Senate should confirm him.”