A moment at the Supreme Court 33 alumni and faculty members were admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States on March 7 Jeanine L. DeBor, Director of Law Alumni Relations and Development
The “five minutes to sitting” buzzer sounds. The courtroom is silent except for an occasional rustling of clothing or clearing of one’s throat. Alumni and faculty from four law schools sit and anticipate the moment when they will get their first glimpse of a justice. In the meantime, we gaze at the breathtaking marble reliefs on all four walls, representing the administration of the law over the centuries. The courtroom is surprisingly small but no less reverential or intimidating, given the power its nine occupants possess. Some are here to cross an item off of a “bucket list.” Some believe that, one day, they will argue a case that will potentially change the way of life for many Americans. Most are here because it is a dream, a once-in-a-lifetime moment: to be admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. At 10 a.m., the buzzer sounds a second time and we rise to our feet. The justices enter, with the chief justice taking center stage next to a chair draped in black bunting, the continued mourning for a fallen brethren of the court. The only “official business” for the day is for Chief Justice John Roberts to read the holding in Americold v. Conagra Foods, a unanimous decision concerning citizenship for diversity jurisdiction penned by Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Then it is our turn. Associate Dean Wesley Oliver calls us by name and we stand, facing the justices who are silently taking measure of the newest members of this prestigious bar. Many wipe away silent tears, remembering a loved one or two who would have been so proud to see this moment. The chief justice grants the motion, and the oath is administered. We are welcomed as members of the bar, and court is adjourned. The session lasts no longer than 20 minutes.
On our way back to the stately Natalie Cornell Rehnquist Dining Room, where we earlier enjoyed breakfast, we congratulate each other and take photos. The room then falls silent as Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg joins us. She is gracious and softspoken. She tells us the reason the portrait in the center of the room of the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist shows him in a robe with bold, gold stripes is he didn’t want his attire to be shown up by “the ladies.” Associate Justice Clarence Thomas joins us next, and states he won’t leave until everyone has the opportunity to take a photo with him. He stays for nearly a half hour, talking and laughing with each admittee as if they were long lost friends.
The following individuals were admitted on March 7, 2016: Laura Andracchio Hon. Alexander Bicket Susan Bicket Dennis Biondo, Jr. Katherine Charlton Jeanine L. DeBor Laura DellAntonio Lauren Diulus Kristine Fritz
Lauren Plate Hamilton Daryl Josephson Jessica M. Jurasko Jay Kahle Linda King Elizabeth Lamm-Earl Tracey McCants Lewis Mary P. Murray Leanne Nedza
Matthew Ness Gery Nietupski Katherine Norton Tyra Oliver Mariah Passarelli Dana Richardson Gregory Scheuring Laurie Buchan Serafino Lara Shipkovitz
Alan Skwarla Catherine Spafford Loeffler Kimberly Tague Eugene Tempesta Beth Tibbott Bobbi Jo Wagner
SUMMER 2016
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