Another view: I’m a Democrat who thinks Kavanaugh’s terrific

As someone who has had the privilege of working for Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh, a few words spring to mind whenever his name is mentioned: Brilliant. Independent. Fair minded. Down to earth.

In the coming days, commentators will be spinning their own version of who Brett Kavanaugh is, as a jurist and as a person. Many have never met him. But I had the pleasure of clerking for the judge. During that time, I worked with him intensely, helping him research cases and write opinions. Watching him decide cases taught me volumes.

I should lead with a caveat: The judge and I do not always see eye to eye. I’m a registered Democrat. It might come as a surprise, then, that Kavanaugh would hire me. But it is one illustration of his open mind.

During my time in the judge’s chambers, I came to understand what judicial excellence looks like. From the moment a case arrived in his chambers, Kavanaugh immersed himself in it. He wanted to understand every argument and perspective: What were the best points in favor? How about the other? What was the text of the statute? And what did the Constitution have to say? The judge welcomed all perspectives to debate the merits of a case.

The judge didn’t just teach me about legal principles. I learned a lot about integrity, humility and kindness, too. I remember Kavanaugh sharing stories about his mother, whom he deeply admires. She worked as a teacher, a lawyer and eventually a judge. His mother’s journey taught him volumes about the importance of equality for women in the workplace. And it made him a great coach for a young attorney like me, who sometimes needed prodding to speak out and stand her ground.

Indeed, in a profession that often feels overwhelmingly male, the judge has been a champion for women. The women who clerked for the judge have often gone on to secure Supreme Court clerkships. They have also worked in all three branches of government.

Judge Kavanaugh has written about 300 judicial opinions, and his positions in high-profile cases have been adopted by the Supreme Court an astonishing 13 times. Judge Kavanaugh is incredibly qualified to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Beyond that, he is a good, kind and fair-minded person. Americans should be proud to have someone with his independence, integrity and character on the bench.

Caroline Van Zile is a former law clerk to Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.