Legal Beat

Justice John Paul Stevens has only hired one clerk for the Supreme Court term starting in October 2010, generating new speculation that he might be planning to retire next year.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the 89-year-old justice has hired one clerk for the October 2010 term rather than the full contingent of four.

Since justices give few public indications of their future plans, clerk hiring, which is done well in advance, is one of the only tea leaves to read. Retired justices are only entitled to one clerk.