U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett Visits William & Mary Law School

Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett visited William & Mary Law School, making her the second justice to speak on campus this year. The September 22 visit was part of an annual Constitution Day celebration hosted by the Institute of Bill of Rights Law.

In her first visit to the Law School since being confirmed to the high Court nearly six years ago, Justice Barrett spent the day engaging directly with students, faculty and staff. She also signed copies of her book, “Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution” (2025), which provides insight into her daily life as a justice.

“We were so honored to host Justice Barrett for Constitution Day,” said Professor Allison Orr Larsen, Director of the Institute of Bill of Rights Law. “She seamlessly stepped right back into the job of law professor (a role she held for 15 years), and engaged with students in her characteristically warm and clear way. It was a treat for all of us to spend the day with her.”

During a Q&A with students, Justice Barrett fielded questions on her law school experience, her path to the federal bench, and what a typical workday looks like. The session was moderated by Professor Larsen and Professor Jonathan Adler, Tazewell Taylor Professor of Law.

That evening, William & Mary President Katherine Rowe spoke at a dinner in the Justice’s honor. In her remarks, Rowe praised Justice Barrett’s years of public service and her commitment to the rule of law.

Justice Barrett’s visit, which occurred just days after the 239th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, marked a historic moment for the nation’s first law school, underscoring the importance of engaging with the Constitution across generations. The visit comes after the Law School presented the Marshall-Wythe Medallion—its highest honor—to Justice Sonia Sotomayor in February.

Justice Barrett has served on the Supreme Court since October 27, 2020. Before her confirmation, she served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and was a professor at Notre Dame Law School. A graduate of Notre Dame Law School and Rhodes College, she served as a law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia and Judge Laurence Silberman.

The event marked a return to William & Mary for Justice Barrett and served as a nice preamble to the Law School’s annual Supreme Court preview beginning three days later. In September 2019, she participated as a judge on the Preview’s annual mock moot court and as a panelist. Before her confirmation to the Supreme Court the following year, she served again as a judge when the event moved online during the Covid pandemic.