Remember, Rhenquist had no judical experience before his appointment
If Harriet Miers had the background of William Hubbs Rehnquist there would be much less noise about her nomination.
William H. Rehnquist
Stanford University, B.A., M.A. 1948; Phi Beta Kappa; Harvard University, M.A., 1950; Stanford University, LL.B., 1952; Order of the Coif. .. Graduated first in his class at Stanford Law School which is ranked 3rd in the United States.
Clerk to Justice Robert H. Jackson, Supreme Court of the United States, February 1952-June 1953.
Private practice of law, Phoenix, Arizona, 1953-1969. Engaged in a general practice of law with primary emphasis on civil litigation.
Served in the United States Army Air Corps in this country and overseas from 1943 to 1946. Discharged with the rank of sergeant. Appointed Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, by President Nixon in January 1969