U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Speaks to UCLA Law Students

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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shared stories about her life, of the time before she became a Supreme Court Justice, with students, faculty and staff at the UCLA School of Law, this week. During her daylong visit at the UCLA she took part in a Q&A session moderated by Dean Rachel Moran, and answered questions of UCLA law students on how to achieve their own goals in life.

Sotomayor, who is the third woman and the first Latina to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, told stories about her diverse career as a private practitioner, as a prosecutor, a federal judge, and an appellate judge, before her appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. She offered a rare glimpse into the years that formed her career and shaped her as a lawyer and jurist.

  

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She spoke about her best-selling memoir, “My Beloved World,” which chronicles her remarkable journey from a housing project in South Bronx, to Princeton and Yale Law School, and then into her career as an attorney. She recalled some of the obstacles she faced along the way while trying to become what she is today, and she called on law students to focus on their own professional destinies.

Speaking to a packed room, Dean Moran said, “Justice Sotomayor’s fascinating discussion of her journey to the bench is motivational, and her ongoing commitment to encouraging others to pursue their dreams is an inspiration. I know that our students will always remember her historic visit.”

Besides the Q&A session, Justice Sotomayor also made a visit to the federal courts class of Professor Jonathan Varat and observed a discussion on the issue of standing. Throughout the day, she made time to learn about the innovative work going on at UCLA Law and talked with student leaders.

Image Credit: UCLA