Hoya Staff Writer Sunday, May 21, 2006
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. highlighted the importance of consensus and congeniality in an often divided judiciary Sunday during an address to about 1,000 graduates at the Law Center’s commencement ceremony. Roberts, who served as an advisor to the Law Center’s Supreme Court Institute and who was briefly a visiting professor before his nomination to the Supreme Court last year, said that by issuing narrowly tailored decisions, the judiciary could encourage more agreement among its members. “There are clear benefits to a greater degree of consensus on the court. Unanimity or near-unanimity promote clarity and guidance for the lawyers and for the lower courts trying to figure out what the Supreme Court meant,” Roberts said. “The broader the agreement among the justices, the more likely it is that the decision is on the narrowest possible ground.” Roberts, who headlined the event held this afternoon on Healy Lawn, also received an honorary law degree from University President John J. DeGioia. The new chief justice was the most recent in a long line of distinguished speakers who have addressed graduating Law Center students. In 2000, former Secretary of State Colin Powell served as the keynote speaker at the Law Center’s commencement, and in 2002 the event featured a joint address by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams and former New York City ayor Rudy Giuliani. Roberts said that it was the responsibility of all members of the Court, not just the chief justice, to foster better working relationships and develop a more unified voice. Although he noted that disagreements should not be “artificially suppressed,” Roberts said that a greater degree of consensus could engender more respect for the judiciary and the law. “The rule of law is strengthened when there is more coherence . about what the law is,” Roberts said. “It is the obligation of each member of the court to be open to the considered views of the others.” Roberts also told graduates they should always keep in mind that, as lawyers, they bear certain responsibilities to their country and their profession. “You have accomplished something very important. . You are knowledgeable in the manner in which power pays tribute to reason through law,” he said. “You have assumed an obligation to protect and promote the rule of law.” The chief justice also used his relatively brief commencement address to poke fun at lawyers, the media and himself while discussing topics ranging from his confirmation hearings last year to his brief stint as a visiting professor. At one point, he told graduates to pause and take a good look at their classmates. “Twenty-five years from now, when you’re nominated for some high position, these are the people the press is going to track down,” he quipped, before suggesting that the graduates agree on one thing before they depart the Hilltop: “What happens at Georgetown, stays at Georgetown.” The ceremony also featured remarks by DeGioia and Law Center Dean Alexander Aleinikoff, as well as a presentation of another honorary degree to human rights advocate Gay J. McDougall. The event marked the end of major commencement ceremonies on campus this weekend.