Washington (CNN) -- CNN has reported President Obama has personally met with four leading candidates for the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy.





The president is expected to announce his nominee in coming days so the Senate can complete the confirmation process in time for the new Supreme Court session in the fall.





Justice John Paul Stevens, who turned 90 last month, announced that he will retire shortly after the Supreme Court's term ends in late June.





Here are summaries of the four people believed to be finalists for the Stevens seat, and a list of arguments for and against their nominations:





Elena Kagan





U.S. Solicitor General





Year born: 1960





Hometown: New York (Manhattan)





Experience: Solicitor general; Harvard Law School dean; White House associate counsel





Education: Princeton University; Oxford University; J.D., Harvard Law School





Fun fact: Former law clerk for Justice Thurgood Marshall, who nicknamed her "Shorty"





Top cases argued as solicitor general (in support of federal laws or executive action):





• Campaign finance reform (Citizens United v. FEC, 2009): Congressional efforts to restrict "independent spending" by corporations and unions in federal political campaigns. Supreme Court ruled against the government in January.





•  Terror support (Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, 2010): Whether the government's power to criminalize "material support" of a terrorist organization goes too far in restricting civil liberties. Supreme Court ruling pending.





•  Religious monuments (Salazar v. Buono, 2009): Can a war memorial shaped like a cross remain on government parkland, or does it violate the constitutional separation of church and state? Justices ruled for the government, saying the cross should remain.





Why she may be chosen: Her lack of a substantive paper trail on hot-button issues may blunt initial conservative criticism over where she stands on these topics. She has a reputation as a political pragmatist and consensus-builder who enjoys the support of liberal and conservative academics. That perceived ability to reach across the aisle could help Kagan on a divided high court. Her relative youth (she would be the youngest member of the court) could give Obama a longer judicial legacy. She also would provide greater gender diversity to the bench.





Why she may be passed over: That lack of judicial experience may raise concerns about whether she would be a "reliable" vote on the left. Some liberal groups have also raised concerns that Kagan -- as solicitor general -- has articulated a more robust defense of executive power by the White House than many civil rights and human rights groups would like.





Judge Diane Wood





7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Chicago, Illinois





Year born: 1950





Hometowns: Plainfield, New Jersey; Houston, Texas





Experience: Federal appeals judge; University of Chicago law professor; government lawyer in the Carter, Reagan and Clinton administrations





Education: B.A., J.D., University of Texas





Fun fact: Talented oboe player who plays in local orchestras





Top cases as federal appeals judge:





• Abortion protests (National Organization for Women vs. Scheidler, 2001): Wrote the opinion allowing extortion and anti-racketeering (RICO) laws to be used against a group of anti-abortion protesters. The case was reversed twice by the Supreme Court, 8-1 and 8-0.





• First Amendment (Doe v. Lafayette, 2004) -- Dissented in a case that ruled a convicted sex offender could be banned from an Indiana city's parks. The offender admitted observing minors there but left without molesting them.





• Religious displays (Bloch v. Frischolz and Shoreline Towers Condominium Association, 2008): Disagreed in a ruling allowing a condominium association to prevent a Chicago family from putting up a Jewish decoration on their doorpost. Her strong dissent prompted Wood's entire court to reconsider, which then reversed and adopted her views on the issue.





Why she may be chosen: Sharp intellect and consensus-building skills have served her well on a court dominated by conservative judges. Her gender, Midwest base, non-Ivy league education and long academic record would bring diversity to the high court.
What is Kagan known as? who is elena kagan? who is diane wood?
a political pragmatist and consensus-builder who enjoys the support of liberal and conservative academics. U.S. Solicitor General Judge
question: What is Kagan known as?, answer: a political pragmatist and consensus-builder who enjoys the support of liberal and conservative academics. | question: who is elena kagan?, answer: U.S. Solicitor General | question: who is diane wood?, answer: Judge