Goodwin Liu at Yale Law School Commencement

ALI Council member Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court was this year’s Yale Law School commencement speaker. Justice Liu addressed the responsibility of public service, encouraging the graduating class to take the time to engage with our criminal justice system and to help people who need legal services but can’t afford it.

“As lawyers, we have a special responsibility to make the justice system work for everyone—as Learned Hand said, to make an America where ‘the least shall be heard and considered side-by-side with the greatest.’”

This was the first class graduating under the deanship of Heather Gerken. She spoke about how much the class of 2018 means to her and the legacy they leave behind. “You have done the quiet, everyday work of great friends and great lawyers—providing help to individuals in need.”

Stephen L. Carter, who also spoke at the commencement, shared three important lessons he learned from Justice Thurgood Marshall in hope that his wisdom will guide the new graduates in their future endeavors.

Read more about the commencement.

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