Justice Sotomayor Visits UCLA Law, Urges Students to Get Involved

Supreme Court Justice shares insights on law, public service, and leadership with future lawyers.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the Supreme Court of the United States visited UCLA School of Law on February 6, encouraging students to get involved in civic engagement and not be bystanders. During her visit, Justice Sotomayor shared her belief that law is fundamentally about relationships and making life better, and she explained that effective advocacy requires connecting with the mind and the heart.

Why it matters

As a sitting Supreme Court Justice, Sotomayor's visit to UCLA Law provides a rare opportunity for students to hear directly from one of the nation's top legal minds. Her message about the importance of civic engagement and using the law to improve people's lives resonates with the school's mission of training future public servants and social justice advocates.

The details

During her visit, Justice Sotomayor urged students to get involved in causes like voting rights, writing to elected officials, or supporting public interest groups. She stressed the need for clear communication and genuine curiosity in effective advocacy, saying "This was an amazing opportunity," says Michael Waterstone, UCLA Law's dean, who introduced Justice Sotomayor at the event. "She is a remarkable jurist and person, and it's not every day that students get to meet and speak with one of the great legal leaders of our time. Her thoughtfulness, candor, and dedication to the legal profession made a deep impact on everyone who was there."

  • Justice Sotomayor visited UCLA Law on February 6, 2026.

The players

Justice Sonia Sotomayor

A Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, appointed in 2009 and the first Latina to serve on the nation's highest court.

Michael Waterstone

The dean of UCLA School of Law, who introduced Justice Sotomayor at the event.

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What they’re saying

“One thing you can't do is give up. Do something,”

— Justice Sonia Sotomayor (Mirage News)

“This was an amazing opportunity. She is a remarkable jurist and person, and it's not every day that students get to meet and speak with one of the great legal leaders of our time. Her thoughtfulness, candor, and dedication to the legal profession made a deep impact on everyone who was there.”

— Michael Waterstone, Dean, UCLA School of Law (Mirage News)

The takeaway

Justice Sotomayor's visit to UCLA Law underscores the importance of civic engagement and using the law to make a positive impact on people's lives. Her message to students to get involved and not be bystanders resonates with the school's mission of training future public servants and social justice advocates.