The 2018 Stein Lecture: John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States

John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States, was born in Buffalo, New York, January 27, 1955. He married Jane Marie Sullivan in 1996 and they have two children - Josephine and Jack. He received an A.B. from Harvard College in 1976 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1979. He served as a law clerk for Judge Henry J. Friendly of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1979–1980 and as a law clerk for then-Associate Justice William H. Rehnquist of the Supreme Court of the United States during the 1980 Term. He was Special Assistant to the Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice from 1981–1982, Associate Counsel to President Ronald Reagan, White House Counsel’s Office from 1982–1986, and Principal Deputy Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice from 1989–1993. From 1986–1989 and 1993–2003, he practiced law in Washington, D.C. He was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2003. President George W. Bush nominated him as Chief Justice of the United States, and he took his seat September 29, 2005.Doors open:  3:00 PM

Event begins:  4:00 PM

Note:  Please plan to arrive early to be seated by 3:45 PM for the event to start on time. No unfilled seats will be allowed to be saved.

No purses, backpacks, bags, cell phones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed in the lecture hall. Please leave these items at home.

When the Law School welcomes jurists and other public officials, we ask that our students, faculty, staff, and guests observe the same level of decorum that would be expected in court. The Law School has adapted these Rules of Decorum from those promulgated by the Minnesota Supreme Court, and they apply for today’s lecture.   

• To avoid noise and disruption to the speaker and audience members, please do not leave the room during the lecture or court proceedings. You may leave quietly at the conclusion and before the question and answer period begins. If necessary, you may leave quietly in between questions.

• To alleviate security concerns, please do not bring purses, backpacks, briefcases, or other large bags with you to the event. 

• No tobacco, chewing gum, food, or drink is permitted.

• As a sign of respect, no hats, caps, or other non-medical headgear shall be worn, except for apparel required by religious observation.

• In order to avoid distractions and focus audience attention on the proceedings, please do not bring laptops or other electronic devices to the lecture.

• Cellular telephones should be turned to the “OFF” setting during proceedings, or better yet, should not be brought into the room. Even phones on a “vibrate” setting can be disruptive.

• Tape recorders, video cameras and still cameras are prohibited without prior approval.

• Parents and guardians are asked to use judgment when deciding whether to bring children to the event. Children must be under control and under supervision of an adult at all times.

• Audience members are asked to remain seated when the presentation or proceedings are underway.

• The Law School honors the free speech and expression rights of our community members. However, demonstrations are not permitted during proceedings or presentations. Impermissible “demonstrations” may include disruptive speech, interruptions, banners, or signs. Inquiries about designated areas for expression should be directed to the University of Minnesota Police Department. 

• We ask that audience members not engage in any activity that may be disruptive. Impermissible activities may include, but are not limited to, unnecessary conversation, loud whispering, or newspaper or magazine reading.

• In order to protect the security of the audience and presenter(s), the Law School may enlist the assistance of University security or other law enforcement personnel to enforce these rules and, if necessary, remove disruptive individuals from the room.