John Paul Stevens, Nice Guy

A clerk remembers retiring Justice John Paul Stevens:

During William Rehnquist's tenure as chief justice, a lawyer was
arguing in the court for the first time. When asked a question by
Justice Anthony Kennedy, the nervous lawyer started her response with,
"Well, Judge --

Chief Justice Rehnquist interrupted her. "That's
Justice Kennedy," he said.

Shaken, the lawyer continued. A few
minutes later, she responded to Justice David Souter by saying, "Yes,
Judge." Chief Justice Rehnquist corrected her again: "That's Justice
Souter." A couple of minutes later, she called Chief Justice Rehnquist
himself a judge.

The chief justice leaned forward, his deep voice
now at its sternest, to say, "Counsel is admonished that this court is
composed of justices, not judges."

Before the lawyer could say
anything, Justice Stevens interjected: "It's O.K., Counsel. The
Constitution makes the same mistake."