West Virginia University law and political science professors, including one who served as a counsel in the Clinton White House, are available to comment on the Samuel Alito’s confirmation hearing to the U.S. Supreme Court which is getting under way today (Monday, Jan. 9).

Alito, 55, is a conservative 15-year member of the federal appeals court in Philadelphia who previously worked as a federal prosecutor and lawyer in the Reagan administration.

He was tapped for the post by President Bush last October to succeed the retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the high court.

WVU ’s sources:

• Andrew Wright , adjunct professor of law, and an associate with Jackson Kelly in Morgantown . He was an assistant counsel to former Vice President Al Gore and is familiar with the Washington political scene, including matters of the high court. He is available at amwright@jacksonkelly.com or 304-284-4130.

• Caprice Roberts, associate professor of law. She teaches courses on judicial power and restraint and postmodern jurisprudence and is knowledgeable about legal remedies and judicial recusal. She can be reached at caprice.roberts@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-7690.

• James McLaughlin , associate dean, College of Law . His areas of expertise include constitutional law and American legal history. He can be reached at james.mclaughlin@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-6822.

• Richard Brisbin , associate professor of political science. Brisbin is the author ofJustice Antonin Scalia and the Conservative Revival,and his areas of expertise include judicial politics and public law. He can be reached at richard.brisbin@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-3811, ext. 5296.