Washington – The liberal judge of the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, urged lawyers on Thursday night to “stand up” at a time when the profession is under attack by the Trump administration.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the American Bar Association, the largest legal group in the nation, said it was an “act of solidarity” to appear in the event in Washington.
“In all the uncertainty that exists at this time, this is our time to stand up and be heard,” said Sotomayor.
“At this time we cannot lose the battles we face,” he added.
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The Trump administration has attacked the American lawyers association itself as part of a broader assault against lawyers.
Sotomayor gave what could be seen as a PEP talk for the lawyers gathered in the group’s damage, judgment and practice of the group.
“If you are not used to fighting lost battles, don’t become a lawyer,” he said. “Our job is to defend people who cannot do it themselves.”
“For me, being here with you is an act of solidarity,” he added, which caused enthusiastic applause from the law audience.
Sotomayor has spoken several times in recent months. In March, he talked about the need of the courts to be “without fear.”
The president of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, also emphasized the importance of independent courts in a public appearance in Buffalo, New York on Wednesday.
In total, three of the nine judges have defended the Judiciary since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the most open is Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was more explicit when he said last week than the criticism and intimidation of individual judges were “designed to intimidate the judiciary.”
The Trump administration has assaulted the American Association of Lawyers in part for its support for diversity efforts, with the Department of Justice, among other things, prohibit lawyers from participating in their events.
