There have been Supreme Court Judges that were never judges before. I think it's a good thing as I said she's dealt with people and isn't likely to be an elitist. She knows what the average mans concerns are.
Yes, and they were not always good justices. Please read the post to which you responded (#40) to see my notes about Bill Rehnquist's background.
I would like to point out, being a judge or justice does not automatically make one an elitist.