Justice Clarence Thomas ’74 Visits the Law School; Meets with Student Groups, Teaches Class

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas ’74 returned to Yale Law School on Wednesday, Dec. 14, to meet with student groups, teach a class, and attend a reception for faculty and guests hosted by Dean Robert Post ’77.

The Justice taught a Federal Jurisdiction class with Sterling Professor of Law Akhil Reed Amar ’84 early in the afternoon, then met with members of the Yale Law School Federalist Society and the Black Law Students Association. Later, he repaired to the Dean’s Office for a private reception with faculty and guests. 

"It was wonderful to welcome Justice Thomas back to the Law School, " said Dean Post. "We had much history to discuss, and it was a rare opportunity for students and faculty to meet with a sitting justice in such intimate settings. We hope to have many more opportunities in the future to bring Justice Thomas back to the Law School.”

Clarence Thomas became a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 1990, and after serving for 16 months, was nominated by President George H. W. Bush as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He took his seat on October 23, 1991, filling the seat vacated by Justice Thurgood Marshall.