“The U.S. Supreme Court occupies a vivid place in any lawyer’s imagination, both as a physical structure and a democratic institution,” said Dean Antony Page. “I’m thrilled that this accomplished group of FIU alumni now are authorized to practice before our nation’s highest court.”
Lawyers must be members of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States. To qualify for admission to the Bar, candidates must have been admitted to practice in the highest court of a U.S. state, commonwealth, territory, or possession, or the District of Columbia, for at least three years; must not have been the subject of any adverse disciplinary action during that three-year period; and must be of good moral and professional character. An existing member of the Bar must submit a motion to have the candidate considered, a role which Associate Dean and Professor Raul Ruiz fulfilled for the group.
“It’s always special to take our alumni to be sworn in as members of the United States Supreme Court bar,” said Ruiz. “Being able to see our nation’s highest court work is truly an honor.”
The group also heard oral arguments on two current cases and met Chief Justice John Roberts, who conducted the induction ceremony. Following the ceremony, the new admittees and their guests spent the rest of the day touring the nation’s capital and celebrating their latest accomplishment.
The FIU Law alumni who were sworn in were:
Iris Elijah ‘11
Maria Garcia ‘08
Lisa Heller ‘11
David Levine ‘10
William Tom Lohman ‘11
Sheila Oretsky ‘05
Annasofia Roig ‘19
Chanel Rowe ‘14
Jessica Saiontz ‘11
Willard Shepard ‘10
Dean Page and Associate Dean Louis Schulze, graduates of other law schools, were also sworn in with the group.