U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Addresses MC School of Law Forum
In a Jackson appearance Monday sponsored by the Mississippi College School of Law and the Mission First Legal Aid Office, the always colorful Scalia offered his insights on legal issues surrounding the nation's highest court. The New Jersey native received a warm reception at the luncheon at First Baptist Church Jackson's Fellowship Hall.
Writing an opinion focusing on the meaning of the Second Amendment - the right to keep and bear arms - gave him the most satisfaction during his nearly 24 years on the nation's highest court, Scalia said in response to a question from an MC law student.
His opinion in that case was a carefully worded reflection of what the framers of the U.S. Constitution had in mind when it comes to bearing arms. "I'm so proud of it," the Harvard Law School graduate told a crowd of more than 600 guests on a chilly day in the new year. It's an amendment adopted back in 1791.
Visitors included Gov. Haley Barbour and his wife, Marsha, Mississippi College President Lee Royce and his wife, Rhoda, a number of judges, MC law students and other leaders of the legal community in the capital city.
Never one to mince words, Scalia recently put some of his legal analysis on paper in a new book that MC law students and lawyers, snapped up. He patiently signed copies of "Making Your Case, the Art of Persuading Judges," as crowds lined up.
His new book is designed to be one that lawyers across the nation consult before they go to court. Scalia is now at work on a second book.
A former law professor at the University of Virginia and the University of Chicago, Scalia served in various positions during the Nixon Administration. The judge is quite familiar with the art of politics and the inner workings of the federal court system. He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington before President Reagan nominated him in 1986 to fill an associate justice position on the Supreme Court.
His Jackson address focused on the topic of the high court's use of foreign legal materials. "I fear the court's use of foreign law will continue at an accelerating pace," he said.
Later on, the outspoken Supreme Court justice touched on a variety of issues with questions coming from members of the MC School of Law Moot Court Team.
Scalia noted that when he joined the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986, the nine justices were handling 150 cases per term. "We cannot do 150 well," he said. "I think we can do 100 well."
The court today is handling fewer cases, in part because there is not as much new major legislation to consider, he said.
Whether the president appointing a Supreme Court justice is a Democrat or a Republican, America's highest court rules every year on vital matters that impact millions of people. The judges don't always agree.
But Scalia, who believes the Constitutions should be strictly interpreted and is considered part of the court's conservative wing, notes all of the justices remain friends.
"It is a collegial enterprise - it is a collegial court," Scalia said.
While they spend much of their time soaking up knowledge in legal textbooks, MC law students say they were delighted to see a U.S. Supreme Court justice speak his mind.
"I think it is a great opportunity to see somebody from the Supreme Court," said first-year law student Sterling Starnes of Lexington. "This is fantastic," she said. "It gives you deeper insight," added the Delta State University graduate.
"It's great to put a face with his opinions," said Seth Thompson, a second-year MC law student from Hattiesburg.
MC School of Law Dean Jim Rosenblatt said this is the third time that Scalia has spoken to audiences at programs sponsored by the law school in downtown Jackson. "Justice Scalia is the Supreme Court justice who serves the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals," Rosenblatt said. "We are always pleased to have him. It is an honor to host him."
Scalia's friendship with retired federal judge Charles Pickering of Mississippi is another reason that he's made frequent trips to the Magnolia State. Pickering, an attorney in his native Mississippi, longtime Republican leader, and former president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, was among the guests at Monday's event.
Welcomed by First Baptist Church Senior Pastor Stan Buckley, Scalia delivered a well-researched speech that was peppered with a few funny one-liners. The appreciative Mississippi audience gave the 73-year-old visitor from Washington a standing ovation.
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