<Li> Free Exercise Clause: Sherbert v. Verner </Li> <Li> Right to privacy and reproductive rights: Griswold v. Connecticut </Li> <Li> Cruel and unusual punishment: Trop v. Dulles, Robinson v. California </Li> <P> Warren took his seat January 11, 1954, on a recess appointment by President Eisenhower; the Senate confirmed him six weeks later . Despite his lack of judicial experience, his years in the Alameda County district attorney's office and as state attorney general gave him far more knowledge of the law in practice than most other members of the Court had . Warren's greatest asset, what made him in the eyes of many of his admirers "Super Chief," was his political skill in manipulating the other justices . Over the years his ability to lead the Court, to forge majorities in support of major decisions, and to inspire liberal forces around the nation, outweighed his intellectual weaknesses . Warren realized his weakness and asked the senior associate justice, Hugo L. Black, to preside over conferences until he became accustomed to the drill . A quick study, Warren soon was in fact, as well as in name, the Court's chief justice . </P>

Why was the warren court associated with an expansion of individual rights