Judge Barrett’s Colleagues Laud Her ‘Impressive Intellect’ And Exemplary Character

Notre Dame Faculty Colleagues: ‘Judge Barrett Stands Out, On A Par In Her Abilities With The Most Distinguished And Influential [High Court Judges In The World],’ ‘Amy Coney Barrett Lives Her Exemplary Life In Our Wider Community [With A] Spirit That Undergirds Her Impressive Intellect, Elegant Legal Analysis, And Manifest Judicial Temperament,’ ‘She Is Always Prepared, Always Thoughtful, And Always Caring’

PAOLO G. CAROZZA, Notre Dame Law & Political Science Professor and Director of the Kellogg Institute for International Studies: “I have been a scholar of comparative constitutional law for nearly 30 years, and in that time have also had the privilege of serving as a member (and President) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and also as a member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (the ‘Venice Commission’). In all those capacities, I have had very many occasions to meet, observe, and work with high court judges from all over the world, from Argentina to Austria and from South Africa to South Korea. Based on that experience I can say with great certainty that Judge Barrett stands out, on a par in her abilities with the most distinguished and influential among them, as much because of the depth and breadth of her legal mind as because of the thoughtful, fair, balanced, measured temperament that she brings to every detail of her work. Her achievements as a jurist and her dedication to the virtues of responsible adjudication will add to the honor and prestige of the Supreme Court and of the United States, far beyond our shores.” (Paolo G. Carozza, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

• PROFESSOR CAROZZA: “In December 2013 I had the opportunity to travel to Quito, Ecuador, with my longtime colleague Amy Coney Barrett, to co-teach a weeklong seminar to the judges of the Ecuadorean Constitutional Court. My portion of the lectures was on international human rights law, while Prof. Barrett addressed United States constitutional law, emphasizing trends in US constitutional theory and constitutional interpretation over the last several decades … [I]n a way that transcended any cultural, political or ideological differences or suspicions, Amy Barrett simply dazzled them. Her presentations were panoramic in scope, taking up a broad range of different theories, judicial philosophies, and key cases, spanning the entire horizon of recent American constitutional thought and practice. Her exposition was as erudite as it was clear and accessible, and as honest and fair -minded about the strengths and weaknesses of every approach as anyone could aspire to, with not a hint of personal bias shadowing the objectivity and evenhandedness of her exposition. The judges were enraptured and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be led into the central themes and intricacies of American constitutionalism by so able a guide. And I, not for the first time, was quite in awe at Prof. Barrett’s singular brilliance and talent, and grateful to be able to count her as a colleague and friend.” (Paolo G. Carozza, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

• PROFESSOR CAROZZA: “I have dwelt at some length on this Ecuadorian episode because I regard it as emblematic on a small scale of the kind of impact that Judge Barrett, if confirmed as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, would also have on a large scale. Her presence and exceptional gifts would not only contribute immensely to the Supreme Court internally and to its enduring strength as a core institution of our constitutional democracy, but she would also enhance the stature and influence of the Supreme Court and of the American constitutional tradition on a global scale.” (Paolo G. Carozza, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

• PROFESSOR CAROZZA: “The Supreme Court of the United States has long been a focal point that draws the attention of the world. Its opinions are studied widely, its doctrines debated, and its words and reasoning weighed carefully. Although the Justices are called to interpret and apply the Constitution and laws of the United States, for the rest of the world they stand also as embodied witnesses of the ideals of equal justice and the rule of law. Among the virtues one would desire in an ideal nominee to the Supreme Court, therefore, it is not a minor point also to take into account how she would be seen and received on the global stage. As she demonstrated in our small Ecuadorian seminar and as I have observed in countless other ways over the 24 years I have known her as a student, as a faculty colleague, and as a personal friend Amy Barrett will dazzle the world with her wise and principled judgement, her scintillating intellectual gifts, and her deep personal integrity. And the world will be a better place for it.” (Paolo G. Carozza, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

DR. AVISHALOM TOR, Notre Dame Law Professor: “Judge Barrett and I have been colleagues and office neighbors for a decade, professional and personal friends for much of that time. You will certainly hear much about Amy Barrett’s academic and legal qualifications, her excellence in teaching and scholarship, and her insights as a Judge. Instead of adding a few more details regarding Amy’s abundant and apparent legal or academic qualities, however, I would like to emphasize what an exceptional individual she is, from a perhaps less-familiar perspective of a colleague of very different background, ethnicity, personal history, culture, beliefs, and faith.” (Dr. Avishalom Tor, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/12/2020)

• PROFESSOR TOR: “I first met Amy Barrett more than a decade ago and immediately recognized her for the marvelous person that she is. Only recently tenured, Amy already was the vice chair of the Appointments Committee at Notre Dame Law School when she reached out and invited me to interview for a faculty position…. As an identified Jew, whose legal education, practice, and teaching never veered west of the Acela corridor, I was inclined to view a flagship Catholic university in South Bend, Indiana as a mysterious, vaguely ominous entity from those uncharted hinterlands well beyond my ken. To my delight and surprise, even through email Amy came across as kind, accommodating, and friendly well beyond the standard protocols I encountered in other elite law schools over the years. The same turned out to be true of the other committee members, most of whom are still my colleagues at Notre Dame Law School. Even within this terrific group, however, Amy’s combination of intellectual incisiveness and engagement with genuine warmth stood out. I was sold, convinced that surrounded with colleagues like these I could thrive fully and naturally as both a scholar and a Jew. The years that have since passed only strengthened and proved how true these initial impressions were. Upon arrival on campus I had the further fortune of landing a faculty office neighboring three committed Catholic colleagues whom I am honored to call friends, not least among them Amy—just two doors down our short hallway—who was always ready with a caring smile, interested not only in my recent research in antitrust or behavioral law and economics but also in the daily doings and well-being of my family.” (Dr. Avishalom Tor, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/12/2020)

• PROFESSOR TOR: “This is how Amy Coney Barrett lives her exemplary life in our wider community; this is the spirit that undergirds her impressive intellect, elegant legal analysis, and manifest judicial temperament. From where I stand, as a legal scholar and a Jew who knows Amy well, it [is] hard to imagine someone better suited for appointment as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.” (Dr. Avishalom Tor, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/12/2020)

ROGER ALFORD, Notre Dame Law Professor: “And no one among the law faculty at Notre Dame managed to balance a large family and a successful career as well as Amy Coney Barrett. … Much of the answer, of course, is about the exceptional qualities of Amy. She is brilliant, industrious, gracious, and kind. I have served on the faculty committees with her, participated in countless faculty workshops with her, and watched her captivate an audience with her teaching. She is always prepared, always thoughtful, and always caring.” (Roger Alford, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

• PROFESSOR ALFORD: “So imagine the pride we feel at Notre Dame Law School in watching one of our own reach the pinnacle of the legal profession. And imagine, after the ugly confirmation process is over, the inspiration that Justice Amy Coney Barrett will provide to millions of working women—to millions of busy families –who are trying to pursue the good life.” (Roger Alford, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

AIMEE CATROW BUCCELLATO, Notre Dame Architecture Professor: “As a faculty member at Notre Dame, I am fortunate to work among many of the world’s brightest minds in their subjects. Many of my colleagues in the Law School are super-human, but as many have said: Amy stands apart. She is a giant in her field. But despite her incredible success, she is also a loving, devoted mother and friend.” (Aimee Catrow Buccellato, Letter to Sens. McConnell, Schumer, Graham, and Feinstein, 10/09/2020)

• PROFESSOR BUCCELLATO: “I first met Amy early in my career, when I was struggling with how to navigate academia as a mother. Amy was incredibly generous with her time and wisdom. Hers was a steady hand at my back then and later, during various pivotal periods of career and parenting discernment. But I first came to know Amy as a mother, sitting on soccer sidelines together, through various children’s school and sports activities, negotiating carpools, attending elementary school musicals … In a world of skeptics and sycophants, Amy is genuine and without pretense. She’s one of those friends who will always answer your call … [A]midst everything Amy does and is, she is focused first on others, including her children, as a devoted mother and friend, whom we’ve grown to respect, admire, and love.” (Aimee Catrow Buccellato, Letter to Sens. McConnell, Schumer, Graham, and Feinstein, 10/09/2020, Emphasis in original)

81 Of Judge Barrett’s Notre Dame Law School Classmates: ‘We Share The View That The Highest Court In The Land Deserves Jurists Of The Highest Caliber Of Intellect Matched With The Fair-Mindedness, Empathy, Integrity, Humility, Good Humor, And Commitment To Justice That Judge Barrett Embodies’

81 CLASSMATES FROM THE NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL CLASS OF 1997: “To aid your work in the context of the confirmation process for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, we, her classmates from the University of Notre Dame Law School class of 1997, write to share our perspective and endorsement with you. We enthusiastically support Amy to succeed the trailblazing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. We represent diverse backgrounds, political affiliations, and philosophies about the role of judges. Despite these differences, we share the view that the highest court in the land deserves jurists of the highest caliber of intellect matched with the fair-mindedness, empathy, integrity, humility, good humor, and commitment to justice that Judge Barrett embodies.” (81 Classmates From The Notre Dame Law School Class Of 1997, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/14/2020)

• “As fellow students, we often learned more from Amy than the professor whenever she had asked a thoughtful question in class or engaged in a considerate debate with the professor. … Assured by her strength, she remained calm during times of academic tension. Instead of bending to pressure, she offered to help classmates.” (81 Classmates From The Notre Dame Law School Class Of 1997, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/14/2020)

• “Undergirding everything about Amy—and perhaps most fundamental to her character—Amy is as kind to others as she is intelligent and hardworking. Amy will always be open, kind, fair and just, and we request your support and vote for her confirmation. Having known Amy for nearly three decades, we are confident she will apply the laws of the United States objectively and with compassion. She will do so not as a partisan, but as a servant of the Constitution and all people governed by those sworn to defend it.” (81 Classmates From The Notre Dame Law School Class Of 1997, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/14/2020)

Over 600 Notre Dame Alumni, Including Former Students Of Judge Barrett: ‘We Represent Wideranging Political Views, Diverse Cultures, And A Variety Of Religious Traditions. Despite Our Many And Genuine Differences, We Are United In Our Conviction That Judge Barrett Would Make An Exceptional Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court Of The United States’

OVER 600 NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI: “We are graduates of Notre Dame Law School. Some of us were students of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. We write to urge the United States Senate to confirm Judge Barrett, whom the President has nominated to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. We arrived at Notre Dame Law School from a diverse array of backgrounds, and upon graduating, we have pursued legal practices as varied as the profession includes. We work in private practice, in public interest positions, and in government service. Some of us have clerked for federal judges or for justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. We represent wideranging political views, diverse cultures, and a variety of religious traditions. Despite our many and genuine differences, we are united in our conviction that Judge Barrett would make an exceptional Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.” (Over 600 Notre Dame Law School Alumni, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/14/2020)

Alumni Of St. Mary’s Dominican High School: ‘Even At That Early Stage In Life, Judge Barrett Displayed An Incredible Intellect, And Achieved High Honors For Academic Achievement… Solidifying Her Reputation As A Leader And A Natural Connector Of People And Ideas’

218 ALUMNI OF ST. MARY’S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL, Including Some of Judge Barrett’s Classmates: “We are graduates of St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Some of us are former classmates of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. We write to urge the United States Senate to confirm Judge Barrett. We come from varied and diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Our religious, cultural, and political views span a wide spectrum. Despite the many and genuine differences among us, we are convinced that Judge Barrett would make an exceptional Supreme Court Justice. Our support is driven not by politics but by a belief that Judge Barrett is eminently qualified.” (218 Alumni Of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/13/2020)

• “Many of us know Judge Barrett from her days as a student at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Even at that early stage in life, Judge Barrett displayed an incredible intellect, and achieved high honors for academic achievement. Further, Judge Barrett exhibited a unique ability to connect with girls from every group and class, solidifying her reputation as a leader and a natural connector of people and ideas.” (218 Alumni Of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/13/2020)

• “Since being appointed and confirmed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Barrett has exhibited the same intelligence, fairness, decency, generosity, and hard work she has demonstrated throughout her life including in her years at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. We are convinced that she will apply the United States Constitution faithfully and impartially. In short, we have no doubt that Judge Amy Barrett will be a stellar addition to the Supreme Court. For all these reasons, we urge the Senate to confirm Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States.” (218 Alumni Of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 10/13/2020)