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U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Y. Scudder, Jr. to address Northwestern Law graduates

The Northwestern Law alumnus previously served at the U.S. Department of Justice

CHICAGO --- Judge Michael Y. Scudder, Jr. (JD ’98) will deliver the convocation address to Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Class of 2025 on Friday, May 16, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.

“We are thrilled that Judge Scudder will deliver the convocation address to the Class of 2025 and share his insights with our graduates,” Law Dean Hari Osofsky said. “His accomplishments as a jurist and practicing lawyer, as well as his work in legal education, exemplify a career of extraordinary distinction. Judge Scudder’s dedication to justice, national security and public service reflects an inspiring commitment to the rule of law and the highest standards of integrity.”

Scudder, a 1998 graduate of the Law School, is a Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He joined the court in May 2018, following a confirmation vote of 90-0 in the U.S. Senate and filling the vacancy created upon the retirement of Judge Richard Posner. From 2009 until confirmed in 2018, Scudder was a partner in the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he practiced complex civil litigation and white-collar defense. From 2007 to 2009, he served in the White House as general counsel of the National Security Council. He also previously served at the Justice Department on a national security team in the office of the Deputy Attorney General and for four years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York.

Scudder began his legal career as a law clerk to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Paul V. Niemeyer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

While attending Northwestern Pritzker Law, Scudder served as editor-in-chief of the Northwestern University Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Since 2009, Scudder has served as an adjunct professor at the Law School, where he teaches a course on Advanced Federal Jurisdiction. He is a recipient of the 2014 U.S. District Court Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service.

Additional information on graduation week events can be found on the Convocation page.