U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens (retired) addressed an audience of about 300 Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Shepard Broad Law Center students, faculty and staff at the Law Center on Feb. 8. This marks the second time Stevens has visited the NSU campus in five years. Justice Stevens, who was nominated to the bench by President Gerald Ford, served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from December 19, 1975 until his retirement on June 29, 2010.
Students posed questions on a broad range of legal issues such as: Supreme Court case load, the value of oral advocacy in court, and the political nature of the Congressional approval process for Supreme Court nominees. Justice Stevens shared his judicial philosophies and insights with the students. In speaking on oral arguments, he indicated that while justices usually have their minds made up before hearing arguments, a justice’s mind or approach to a case can definitely change through the process. When asked what contributed most to his success in law school, Justice Stevens said it was “the great faculty and students.”
“It was an incredible honor for us,” said Athornia Steele, NSU Law Center dean. “His visit helps highlight the Law Center’s commitment to students by providing a connection to the bench and bar. This was an opportunity for the students to learn more about the Supreme Court from a Justice of the Court.”