Judge Michael Y. Scudder, Jr., an alumnus of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, is set to deliver the convocation address to the school’s graduating Class of 2025. The ceremony will take place on May 16 at the Chicago Theatre.
Law Dean Hari Osofsky expressed excitement about Judge Scudder's involvement, stating, “We are thrilled that Judge Scudder will deliver the convocation address to the Class of 2025 and share his insights with our graduates. 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.”
Judge Scudder currently serves as a Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, a position he has held since being confirmed in May 2018 with a unanimous 90-0 vote in the U.S. Senate. The appointment followed the retirement of Judge Richard Posner. Before joining the court, Scudder was a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he focused on complex civil litigation and white-collar defense. Between 2007 and 2009, he worked as general counsel for the National Security Council at the White House. His prior roles include serving on a national security team in the Justice Department and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York.
Scudder's distinguished legal career began as a clerk for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Paul V. Niemeyer at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. At Northwestern, he was editor-in-chief of the Northwestern University Law Review, graduated magna cum laude, and was part of the Order of the Coif. Since 2009, he has served as an adjunct professor at the law school, teaching Advanced Federal Jurisdiction. He was honored with the U.S. District Court Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service in 2014.
Further details on the graduation week events are available on the Convocation page.