Chief Justice Roberts Appoints Federal Judge as Chief of Staff

Chief Justice John Roberts appointed a new counselor after his adviser of 16 years retired in September, the court announced Monday at the start of the new term.

Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr., who serves on the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, will take on the new post in December, the high court’s announcement said.

The counselor functions as chief of staff, working on court-wide policies and initiatives and supporting Roberts as head of the federal judiciary.

Dow, who replaces Jeffrey P. Minear, takes up the new job with the court facing low approval ratings ...