Justice Opala, who joined the court in 1978, served once, from 1991 to 1992.
Although civil rights groups were not eager for another conservative to join the court, they still preferred a black justice to a white one.
At 39, he would become the youngest justice to join the court.
Since his prospects were not good he officially joined the court of Vienna in 1662.
He joined the high court in 1806 and won the leadership position in 1808.
However, those in favor of seeing him join the court were just as numerous and influential.
It has been 35 years since two justices joined the court in a single term.
Upon joining the court, he became the first Latino member in the court's history.
Prior to joining the court, Ryan was in private practice with various firms.
She was the first woman to join the high court from the bar and to become a Chief Justice.