​U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor discusses her life, empathy at Richmond

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor championed empathy and perseverance in a discussion at Richmond School of Law on Tuesday.

The event was coordinated by Richmond School of Law dean Wendy Purdue and attended by law students, faculty and guests. Some undergraduate students watched a live stream, which is available on the law school website, in an overflow room.

Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, and her book, "My Beloved World," details her journey from a difficult childhood in Bronx, New York to her appointment as a federal judge in the same state. Sotomayor referenced her book multiple times throughout Tuesday's discussion, as the book outlines her views on the law and world.

"I treasure every experience I've had in life," Sotomayor said. "Good and bad."

Sotomayor's positivity, apparent in the title of her book, colored her interactions with Tuesday's audience. Although Sotomayor began the event seated, she soon stood and walked to the middle of the student section, bridging the gap between speaker and listener. Sotomayor approached the event as a conversation.

"She was really down to earth and genuine," Alex Castellano, a first year law student, said. "It seemed like she really cared about engaging with the students."

Sotomayor said that empathy is at the heart of her approach to her life and work. When writing a ruling or opinion of a Supreme Court case, Sotomayor keeps a broader audience in mind.

"It's not just the conclusions we draw, but the way we express ourselves," Sotomayor said. Dean Purdue mentioned Sotomayor's use of the phrase "undocumented immigrants" instead of "illegal immigrants" as evidence of her conscientiousness.

Despite Sotomayor's positivity, she considered withdrawing during her 2009 confirmation for the Supreme Court. She said some people argued she wasn't smart enough for the position.

Sotomayor decided not to drop out of the process after her close friend told her, "This isn't about you." The friend said it was about the "possibility of hope" for young people of color and low income backgrounds to rise to positions like Supreme Court justice.

Giving back is important to Sotomayor, and she meets with people from all backgrounds to talk about the law.

"I hope to inspire someone...to make the world a better place," Sotomayor said. 

Contact features editor Kayla Solsbak at kayla.solsbak@richmond.edu.