Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito visits Chapman’s Fowler School of Law

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., shared stories from his early career, insights into the lesser-known traditions of the high court – yes, the justices sing Happy Birthday  to each other – and his thoughts on the future of the law during a February visit to Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law.

Alito was the featured speaker at a luncheon for the Chapman Law Review’s Annual Symposium, “The Future of the Legal Profession,” held Feb. 10, providing a unique opportunity for students and faculty to meet with an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

During the luncheon, Alito participated in an informal Q&A conversation with John Eastman, Ph.D., the Henry Salvatori Professor of Law and Community Service at Chapman’s Fowler School of Law and a former clerk for Alito’s colleague on the court, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. During his visit, Alito attended a private dinner with Chapman Law Review students, faculty members and special University guests, including Dale E. Fowler and his wife, Sarah Ann. He also observed the symposium’s morning panel discussion, a session titled “The Global and Multi-Jurisdictional Practice of Law.”

Alito, nominated to the high court by President George W. Bush, is the fourth associate justice to visit Chapman. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas presided at the grand opening of Kennedy Hall in 1999 and returned to give an address in 2007. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia visited in 2007 to deliver the Madison Lecture and to participate with law students in a re-enactment of the famous 1905 Lochner vs. New York trial. Associate Justice William O. Douglas spoke on campus in 1964 as part of the Artist Lecture Series.

Display image at top/Students from the Dale E. Fowler School of Law and Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., at a VIP dinner in his honor.