It is no surprise that UDC’s Theater of the Arts was a full house waiting to hear from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the guest of honor at the 31st Annual Joseph L. Rauh Jr. Lecture. The September 29 event was attended by students and alums from UDC’s David A. Clarke School of Law as well as those majoring in other disciplines. 2023 Rauh Lecturer Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, moderated the lecture. Justice Jackson focused the conversation on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket.
Before the event, students shared their excitement about the opportunity to learn from Justice Jackson and the significance of what her presence means for UDC, especially law students. “I think it’s amazing. It’s my major. For her to take the time to speak with us and choose this school is an honor,” said Nikita Macrall-Angus, a 2L law student.
“The conversation, the talk, as an alum you’re proud of UDC for [having] the Supreme Court Justice speak here,” said UDC student Alexus McNeal.
The Joseph L. Rauh Lecture series gives students a unique perspective about the legal education. Anthony J. Ervin, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at UDC Law, said it best. “I think the purpose of the event continues with our legacy, not just of UDC, but also of UDC law, and about really diversifying the legal education as it dates to, Joseph L. Rauh and how he dedicated his services, connecting the district with the law school community, and all the issues of practicing law in a public interest environment.”
This story was written by Trilogy reporters Shannel Laws and Ericka Lopez.
