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NIU Law hosts group admitted to U.S. Supreme Court bar

May 29, 2014
Justice Sonia Sotomayor talks with NIU Law Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor talks with NIU Law Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea.

The NIU College of Law hosted alumni and guests May 19 as they were admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C.

This year’s group of nine inductees included NIU Law alumni, faculty and members of the DeKalb County Bar Association.

The exceptional day started at the Supreme Court building with a private continental breakfast for the inductees and guests. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Chief Justice John Roberts; alumnus Matt Pfeiffer (’00) served as the movant by making the motion for this group to be admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court.

Immediately following the ceremony, the group was honored with visits from Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Each spoke with the NIU Law group and welcomed the new admittees. During her visit, Justice Ginsburg presented Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea with a copy of her opinion that was read to the court just before the swearing-in ceremony.

The day concluded with a private celebratory luncheon at Charlie Palmer Steakhouse.

Pictured on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court are (back row from left): movant Matt Pfeiffer (’00), Hon. Tom Doherty (’86), Matthew Beese (’02) and Robert Carlson. (Front row from left): NIU Law professor Michael Oswalt, Judith Paulick (’79), Sonni C. Williams (’99), Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea, James Buck, NIU Law Adjunct Professor Jeffrey Lewis and Mary Stauffenberg (’07).

Pictured on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court are (back, from left) movant Matt Pfeiffer (’00), Hon. Tom Doherty (’86), Matthew Beese (’02) and Robert Carlson. Front: NIU Law professor Michael Oswalt, Judith Paulick (’79), Sonni C. Williams (’99), Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea, James Buck, NIU Law adjunct professor Jeffrey Lewis and Mary Stauffenberg (’07).