Judge Michael Y. Scudder, Jr. (JD ’98) to Deliver 2025 Convocation Address

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is excited to announce that Judge Michael Y. Scudder will deliver the convocation address to the Class of 2025. Convocation will be held on Friday, May 16, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.

“We are thrilled that Judge Scudder will deliver the convocation address to the Class of 2025 and share his insights with our graduates,” Dean Hari Osofsky said. “His accomplishments as a jurist and practicing lawyer, as well as his work in legal education, exemplify a career of extraordinary distinction. In his service as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, General Counsel of the National Security Council, federal prosecutor, and throughout his many other critical leadership roles, Judge Scudder’s dedication to justice, national security, and public service reflects an inspiring commitment to the rule of law and the highest standards of integrity.”

Judge Scudder is a Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He joined the court in May 2018, following a confirmation vote of 90-0 in the Senate and filling the vacancy created upon the retirement of Judge Richard Posner. From 2009 until confirmed in 2018, Judge Scudder was a partner in the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he practiced complex civil litigation and white-collar defense. From 2007 to 2009, Judge Scudder served in the White House as General Counsel of the National Security Council. He also previously served at the United States Department of Justice on a national security team in the office of the Deputy Attorney General and for four years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. He is a former law clerk to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Paul V. Niemeyer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

While attending Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Judge Scudder served as editor in chief of the Northwestern University Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Since 2009, Judge Scudder has served as an adjunct professor at the Law School, where he teaches a course on Advanced Federal Jurisdiction. He also teaches national security law at the University of Chicago Law School. He is a recipient of the 2014 U.S. District Court Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service.

Scudder earned his BBA from Saint Joseph’s College, where he was co-valedictorian. He earned his JD from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in 1998.

We are delighted Judge Scudder will be here to share his insights with our next class of graduates. Additional information on graduation week events can be found on the Convocation page.