Justice Amy Coney Barrett Explores Safeguarding the Legal System at Annual Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Dinner
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law held its annual dinner that brought together esteemed faculty, alumni, students, and special guests, including US Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Barrett, in conversation with Paul Caron, Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean of the Caruso School of Law, along with law professors Babette Boliek and Trey Childress, explored the evening’s theme, “Freedom in Truth,” and discussed the significance of lawyers serving as stewards of justice within the American legal system and the vital role institutions play when educating students on the importance of the rule of law.
Lauren Cosentino
The evening commenced with a musical performance of "How Great Thou Art" by Asha Madhukar (JD '19), followed by a welcome message by Lauren Cosentino (’97, MBA ’12), Pepperdine's vice president for advancement and chief development officer, who emphasized the evening’s theme and its alignment with this year’s presidential theme of "Freedom." She highlighted Pepperdine's unwavering commitment to integrating faith with legal education and service, showcasing Pepperdine’s mission to build morally grounded, justice-seeking legal practitioners.
“Our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are driven by an even higher truth that governs all,” explained Cosentino. “They are driven by an abiding belief in a loving, all-powerful, and just Creator and by the call to serve that Creator by standing up for what is right and building a more moral and upstanding society.”
The night proceeded with the ceremonial presentation of colors by the United States Army and a performance of the national anthem led by Madhukar. Introduced by alumnus Alex Caruso (JD ’17), Dean Caron took the stage and reflected on the school's growth and its ongoing dedication to faith, hope, and love through its academic excellence. He shared uplifting stories of students and faculty whose lives were transformed by the Caruso Law community, likening it to a powerful symphony, with its music composed of faith and legal education at Pepperdine.
President Jim Gash
“Our beautiful symphony is inspired by our fusion of academic excellence and the Christian faith—a deeply resonant melody that not only transforms the world, but also transforms each of us in the process,” he said. “The Pepperdine Caruso Law symphony is a work in progress, growing more beautiful and more powerful by the day, as our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends compose their own notes and contribute their harmonized voices.”
Introducing the evening’s moderators and special guest Justice Barrett, president Jim Gash (JD ’93) delivered his remarks on the profound connection between freedom and truth. Citing the words of George Orwell and Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Gash declared that truth is the foundation of a free society and that it is the responsibility of the legal community to uphold truth as the bedrock of justice.
“We give our students the resources, first among them our incredible faculty, to find truth for themselves and to discover the freedom that comes from walking in it,” said Gash. “At the Caruso School of Law, students are trained not only to find the truth in legal matters but also to recognize how truth leads to justice and freedom.”
Babette Boliek, Paul Caron, Amy Coney Barrett, and Trey Childress
Speaking with the moderators, Justice Barrett began the conversation by discussing her esteemed career, sharing her desire to pursue a profession that allowed her to help people and to problem solve. She also emphasized the vital role institutions like Pepperdine play, along with the responsibility of educators, in preparing law students to become thoughtful leaders and guardians of the legal system. Justice Barrett highlighted that it is the duty of law schools and professors to equip the next generation of lawyers to lead challenging discussions and work toward solutions rather than dismantling the entire legal institution.
“Lawyers and professors, as officers of the court, have an institutional duty to lead critical conversations,” she said. “When issues arise, it’s essential for lawyers to step forward and guide these discussions, setting a tone that fosters unity rather than division. A lawyer’s role should be to lead conversations around reform and problem-solving in a way that brings people together, inspiring a desire for solutions rather than fueling bitterness.” She continued, “Additionally, lawyers should champion constructive criticism and work to preserve institutions. I believe Pepperdine and similar institutions are cultivating students to embrace that responsibility.”
Visit the Caruso School of Law website to learn more about the annual Caruso School of Law Dinner.