Delaware Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Announces Retirement
Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. of the Delaware Supreme Court announced on Monday, in a letter to Governor John Carney that he plans to retire after more than two decades on service in the Delaware courts system.
In his resignation letter, Chief Justice Strine thanked the people of Delaware for allowing him to serve the state since 1992. He said “I am also grateful, Governor, that I can say to you with confidence that the Judiciary of this state is strong, that we are addressing our challenging and diverse caseloads with diligence, skill and dispatch, and that we are continually looking for new ways to serve the people of Delaware even more effectively.”
Chief Justice Strine was appointed to the portion in February 2014 by then-Governor Jack Markell and confirmed by the State Senate to succeed Chief Justice Myron Steele, who served in the position since 2014. Strine is only the eighth Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, since it’s creation in 1951. Previously, he was the Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Vice Chancellor. He also served as legal counsel to then-Governor Tom Carper, and was a corporate litigator. Chief Justice Strine graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, but received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Delaware.
Governor Carney responded to his retirement saying “I鈥檝e known him to be one of Delaware鈥檚 top legal minds, and a real public servant on behalf of the people of our state.”
Chief Justice Strine intends to retire this fall. Governor Carney will be tasked with nominating a replacement, for consideration by the State Senate.
