Obama taps Northeastern honorary degree recipient for U.S. Supreme Court

Federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s first Supreme Court nominee, was honored two years ago this month at Northeastern University’s School of Law commencement ceremony.

The first Hispanic Supreme Court nominee in American history, Sotomayor received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northeastern on May 25, 2007. She was described at the ceremony as “a trailblazing lawyer, distinguished jurist and inspiring role model.”

Sotomayor has also provided invaluable experiential-learning opportunities on the federal appeals court to Northeastern University law students.

“Sonia Sotomayor represents the very best of American values and success,” said Roger Abrams, Richardson professor of law at Northeastern, who wrote about Sotomayor’s landmark 1995 decision ending a Major League Baseball strike. “If confirmed by the Senate, she will demonstrate, as she has throughout her career, that integrity, honesty and determination will lead to a better America.”

In 2008, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer gave the commencement address at Northeastern’s School of Law, praising the graduates’ commitment to public service and urging them to continue on that path in their professional lives.