Let the Record Show: Ruth Bader Ginsburg visits UC Law SF in 2011

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is considered a legal icon who shaped our legal system in the areas of voting rights, reproductive freedom and marriage equality. Between packed sessions deciding follow-up cases, the late Supreme Court justice found time to visit UC Law San Francisco on September 15, 2011.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg answers questions and shares insights from her work as a judge during a constitutional law course.

Ginsburg made a special appearance in Professor David Faigman’s constitutional law course, where she spoke to students and answered questions. It was a rare opportunity to hear directly from a legal legend who helped shape the interpretation of laws on civil rights, equal protection and more.

During her visit, Ginsburg also met with student editors and staff at the UC Law SF Journal on Gender and Justice, then known as the UC Hastings Women’s Law Journal.

Professor David Faigman listens intently as students in his constitutional law course interact with one of the country’s leading lawyers.

Later that evening, Ginsburg sat down for an interview in front of a live audience with Professor Joan C. Williams, a renowned scholar of social inequality and labor law who now directs the Equality Action Center at UC Law SF.

According to NBC Bay Area, Ginsburg spoke with Williams for over an hour, sharing stories from her time as a judge, discussing the state of the American legal system and offering cooking tips and relationship advice.

A day earlier, Ginsburg had to descend an inflatable slide to evacuate a San Francisco-bound plane at a Washington, D.C. airport after smoke was detected in a plane engine. Ginsburg joked that she hadn’t planned this as part of her trip to San Francisco.

Ginsburg’s visit gave students a unique insight into the mind of one of the country’s most influential lawyers. Her presence at the law school reflects UC Law SF’s commitment to connecting students with thought leaders who have shaped the nation’s legal landscape.

Let the Record Show is an occasional series showcasing people, moments and milestones from UC Law San Francisco’s past.