I finished reading Bruce Allen Murphey’s excellent biography of Justice William O. Douglas. Link to the book is here.
Below are some work habits from William Douglas in order as presented in the book. He served on the Supreme Court for 36 years, wrote 1,164 full opinions, 486 dissents, 32 books, and hundreds of public speeches.
- “He [Douglas] just did what was required and nothing more. He didn’t have the same passion for the law.” (p. 49).
- During his time at Cravath law firm, he worked 14-16 hour days and weekends. He arrived before 9:00 AM to the office and oftentimes worked until 2:00, 3:00, or 4:00 AM. Associates were expected to bill 300 hours per month, so they often worked 80-90 hours per week. Douglas quit Cravath after 4 and a half months (p. 54, 58).
- During his time as a justice on the Supreme Court, he would often march into his office and yell “Work is energizing” to his staff (p. 407).
- Pages 407-409 of the book go into detail how he was often very rude to his staff and clerks.
- He would leave the office between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM (p. 407).
- During oral arguments, Douglas would often be writing on another case, working on a speech or a book, or just writing developing new ideas (p. 410).
- In Douglas’s early years, he would write all his own opinions and would draft them on a yellow legal pad. In later years, clerks were allowed to draft more (p. 411).
- His typical workday was 12-14 hours (p. 486).
- Douglas could often write an entire opinion by hand on a yellow legal pad in one sitting (p. 487).