JEFFERSON CITY — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas made an unannounced visit to the Missouri Attorney General’s office here Monday. Thomas, the longest-serving current member of the nation’s high court, was in the capital city to observe the dedication of a conference room in the Supreme Court building where he once worked. Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, did not immediately comment on the visit. An aide said more information about the event may be available Tuesday. Thomas was admitted to the Missouri bar in 1974 after he graduated from Yale Law School in 1974. He became an assistant attorney general that same year and argued before the state’s high court during his tenure. People are also reading…
Thomas moved from the post in 1977 to serve as an attorney for the Monsanto company in the St. Louis area. Monsanto is now owned by Bayer. Thomas also served as legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. John Danforth of Missouri for two years. In 1981, Thomas was appointed assistant secretary for civil rights in the U.S. Department of Education. Thomas was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit by President George H.W. Bush. He served there for 18 months before being nominated to a seat on the Supreme Court in 1991. He has made occasional visits to Missouri in recent years. In 2017, Thomas spoke at a Law Day event sponsored by the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. During the speech he turned to Danforth, 80, and told him, "You are the reason why I'm here."
