Justice Clarence Thomas ’74 and Ambassador John Danforth ’63 in Conversation at Yale Law School on February 12

Clarence Thomas ’74, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and John C. Danforth ’63, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, took part in the Debating Law & Religion Series at Yale Law School. The event, titled “Religion in the Public Service: A Conversation,” was held on February 12, 2015, at 4:30 pm in the Levinson Auditorium.

Guido Calabresi ’58, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Law and Professorial Lecturer in Law, moderated the conversation between Thomas and Danforth.

Watch a video of the conversation.

Justice Clarence Thomas was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush, and, after serving for 16 months, was nominated to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He took his seat in October 1991. John C. Danforth was attorney general of Missouri from 1969 to 1976 when he went on to serve as a U.S. Senator until 1995. He was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2004–2005. Danforth is also an ordained Episcopal minister. Thomas worked for Danforth when the latter was attorney general. He also served as a legislative assistant to Senator Danforth from 1980–1981.

Guido Calabresi was appointed United States Circuit Judge in 1994. Prior to his appointment, he was Dean and Sterling Professor at Yale Law School, where he began teaching in 1959.

“Of all industrialized nations, the United States is by far the most religious,” said Dean Robert Post. “Religion influences our law and public life, and it is exciting to hear what Justice Clarence Thomas and Senator John Danforth have to say about this essential American subject.”

This event was open to the law school community and invited guests only.