Justice Karen L. Valihura Steps Down July

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 5, 2026 Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura to step down in July The Justice has informed the Governor she will not seek reappointment

Justice Karen L. Valihura has informed Gov. Matt Meyer in a letter sent today that she does not intend to seek reappointment to the Delaware Supreme Court when her term expires in July. "After a great deal of thought, I have decided that I will not apply for a second term," wrote Justice Valihura. "For me, being a Justice on our State's Supreme Court has been the highest honor and privilege. And I have the great satisfaction of knowing that I have given 'my all' to the call of justice and to the goal of completing my full twelve-year term." Justice Valihura concluded by saying while she is retiring from the court, "with God's grace and willingness" she intends to continue her legal career in another phase "to continue to serve the public." Justice Valihura was appointed to the Delaware Supreme Court by Gov. Jack Markell and took office on July 25, 2014, becoming the second woman to serve on the Delaware Supreme Court. She is also currently the longest-serving member of the court and will continue to serve until the end her term on July 25, 2026. During several days in November 2019, between the retirement of Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. and Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. taking office, as the senior justice on the court, she served as interim Chief Justice, becoming the first woman ever to hold that position. Prior to her appointment, Justice Valihura was a corporate litigator at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, for 25 years, first as an associate then as a litigation partner. During her tenure, Justice Valihura wrote opinions on behalf of the court on a wide variety of topics and served in several roles for the Supreme Court including co-chair of the Access to Justice Commission and co-chair of the Supreme Court's Law and Technology Commission. Justice Valihura received her undergraduate degree from Washington and Jefferson College in 1985, and her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She served as a law clerk to Judge Robert E. Cowen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.