CHARLESTON – A West Virginia assistant attorney general has been named as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
Gilbert C. Dickey will serve as one of four clerks for Thomas during the 2017-2018 term, which begins in October 2017.
“More than anything, I just look forward to learning from Justice Thomas,” Dickey told the The West Virginia Record. “I really admire Justice Thomas as a jurist and a person. He’s written rigorous and thoughtful opinions across vast subject matter areas and I’m really interested to see how he thinks through and works through decisions.”
Dickey is currently serving as an assistant attorney general in Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office. He has held the position since 2014.
“I’ve learned an incredible amount with the attorney general,” Dickey said. “I worked with the solicitor general team that is stocked [with] fantastic lawyers.”
Dickey reports to West Virginia Solicitor General Elbert Lin whom, Dickey says, has helped him develop his legal writing skills.
“He helped me focus on clear writing that helps the court whittling down legal issues,” Dickey said.
Dickey previously was clerk to Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whom he described as "an amazing circuit judge who taught me more in a year than I could imagine.”
The attorney general's office told The West Virginia Record everyone is proud of Dickey and his new position.
"I congratulate Gilbert on this terrific accomplishment," Morrisey said. "My office takes seriously its standing as West Virginia’s top law firm and this achievement exemplifies the enormous talent working on the state’s behalf in all corners of my office.”
“I’ve learned a lot and had a lot of amazing opportunities as a young lawyer in terms of a lot of responsibility in important matters early in my career,” Dickey said. “I’ve learned an immense amount about in court practices and about drafting legal proceeding. I think [the clerkship] will help me in the future in a lot of ways. I expect to learn a lot.”
Dickey graduated from the University of Chicago Law school with high honors in 2012. He received his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Samford University in 2009, majoring in history and political science.