Interesting article (by Anna Schneider-Mayerson) in the New York Observer, The Little Supremes:  Meet the Next Generation of Robertses and Alitos:

A “Little Supreme,” one of a handful of earnest, platinum-résumé’d law geeks whose prospects for the Big Bench are the source of constant speculation among friends and colleagues….

There are at least a few other young lawyers—professors, assistant U.S. Attorneys, corporate litigators—who have that early Supreme Court buzz about them. …There is David Schizer, also 36: He’s the youngest dean in the 147-year history of Columbia Law School, an amiable former professor who fell in love with tax law in his early 20’s….

“The cliché about the Supreme Court is that lightning strikes,” said Mr. Schizer, the young dean. “I think there are some people who do their best to find a lightning rod.”

Like Chief Justice John Roberts and Judge Alito, the Little Supremes tend to have big brains and conservative, future-oriented personalities. They’re under 40, a few years shy of being actual candidates for the lower-court bench, yet old enough to be on the cusp of making partner or getting tenure….

Mr. Schizer doesn’t even speed. “It took on more of a moral significance to me as I grew up,” he confessed. “I think the only thing I do that’s illegal is I jaywalk, and I’m not even sure that is illegal in Manhattan.”

“Roberts is very thoughtful, and he’s careful not to commit himself before he’s sure of what he thinks. That’s a quality I admire, and I seek to emulate that,” explained Mr. Schizer, preparing his way to become a stealth nominee. “I think you would find a lot of people who are not quite sure what I think about some issues.”

(Thanks to Michael Schler (Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York) for the tip.)