Supreme Court Justice to Visit Pace Law School

The following news release was contributed:

United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will be visiting Pace Law School.

During her day-long visit, scheduled for November 12, 2012, Justice Sotomayor’s primary focus will be on the students. She will be joined by several of her former Pace Law externs—now distinguished alumni—to answer questions from current students about legal practice, the Supreme Court, judging, and more.

Pace Law School has enjoyed a long relationship with Justice Sotomayor. While a United States Circuit Judge, she participated in the Federal Judicial Honors Program at Pace Law School from 1999 to 2009. In 2003, she was awarded an honorary degree and delivered the Commencement address. This will mark her first return to our campus since she became an Associate of the Supreme Court of the United States.

“We are thrilled that Justice Sotomayor will be returning to Pace Law School for a day-long visit,” said Dean Michelle Simon. “Over the years, she has been very generous to our students. During this visit, they will be able to learn about the law from a sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice. That is a remarkable opportunity.”

Justice Sotomayor serves as “a role model of aspiration, discipline, commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity.” These words, first read when she received her honorary degree from Pace Law School, were quoted in the official statement issued by the White House when announcing her nomination to the Supreme Court. Appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009, Justice Sotomayor is the first Latina to sit on the United States Supreme Court.

Justice Sotomayor’s trip marks the culmination of a year of inspiring visits to Pace Law School by distinguished judges. These include:

• Hon. Harold Baer, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York
• Hon. Helen Freedman, N.Y.S. Supreme Court Justice, Appellate Division
• Hon. Myron H. Thompson, U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama
• Hon. Robert A. Katzmann, U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
• Hon. Andrew L. Carter, Jr., U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York