Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch

Advice on Law School From Supreme Court Justices

With the new academic year of law school fast approaching, it seems Supreme Court Justices are offering their words of wisdom on how students can make the most of their law school experience.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE NEIL GORSUCH
Patrick Sobkowski, a rising 2nd-year law student at University of Dayton School of Law, wrote to Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch a few months back asking for advice as he made his way through law school, as reported by Daily Caller.
Here was Gorsuch’s response:
“Thank you for your letter. I am honored that you requested my autograph and am happy to provide it below.
My advice to law students is very simple: work hard, learn to write and speak effectively, never give up your passions, treasure your family and friendships, find time to do public service, and learn to win – and lose – graciously.
More than all that, know that you will have many regrets in life – things said or done, or left unsaid or undone – but the one thing you will never regret is being kind.”
The response was met with positive reactions across Twitter, gaining retweets from the supporters on the left and right.
“Gorsuch quickly cementing his place as my favorite member of SCOTUS,” Guy Benson, a commentator and contributor for Fox News, tweets.
“Great to see Justice Gorsuch take the time to respond to a letter like this — regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his views,” Josh Douglas, a professor at UK College of Law and frequent contributor for CNN, tweets.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ELENA KAGAN
In a conversation with Harvard Law Dean John Manning, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan also shed some words of wisdom for law students.
In terms of approach to law school, Kagan advised law students to be “an active go-getter and to try to speak law.”
Kagan also recommended students to get to know their professors.
“Make an effort to get to know at least one member of the faculty in your first term. It might require knocking on a door,” she says.
But she also emphasized the importance of getting to know your peers as well.
“You will learn as much from your fellow students as from the faculty,” Kagan says.
Lastly, Kagan advised students to challenge themselves and take full advantage of the resources available to them in law school.
“Do things other than the ones you know you’re interested in and that you know you’ll be good at,” she says.
Sources: Daily Caller, Harvard Law