The Meritorious RBG

As with many others, although I did not agree with Justice Ginsberg's judicial outlook on some issues, I am grateful to her, her character and personality.

Many years ago, I graduated Brooklyn Law School in their evening division; my day job involved computer systems.

In 1995, the alumni association informed us that there was going to be an attorney swearing-in ceremony at the US Supreme Court; I believe the admission criteria at that time was being a member of a state bar in good standing with an unblemished record for at least five years. Since I had only handled a relatively few cases mostly for friends and family, my disciplinary record was pristine!

I figured this was a good chance to impress my then-fiance - and now wife - and I also knew my elderly Mom - a feisty Brooklyn-born-and-bred woman who admired and perhaps was in some ways similar to RBG - would greatly enjoy it. 

We drove to the Supreme Court, and our contingent from Brookyn Law School - as well as as other schools - was sworn in during a nice ceremony. 

Afterward, our Brooklyn Law School group repaired to a room for coffee and cookies. To everyone's suprise, Madame Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg walks in, and starts to schmooze with everyone in the room! What a total mensch! Here we were - myself and perhaps some others not high on the legal ladder - and RBG seemingly had all the time in the world to chat as desired with everyone sworn in, congratulate their relatives, pose for pictures, etc. 

In the days before cellphone cameras, my only regreat is that I held back a bit and have no photographs. The invitation said "No cameras in the courtroom" so I was punctilious not to bring one. As it happens I should have taken a camera - as technically this post-Ceremony collation was not "...in the Courtroom" cameras did quickly appear - I was overly intimidated by the "Rule" and my textual analysis needed work too! I particularly regret there is no picture of RGB and my late Mom.

I'll never forget how RBG used so much of her very valuable time to bestow the priceless gift of her generous attention and conversation, and make an inspirational - "in-spirit-ional" - impression on the alumni and their families; none of whom of course could ever be in a position to reciprocate and help her in any way, but all of whom would recount this event, their meeting and memory for many years. The implicit message was that - regardless of our backgrounds, objectives or legal perspectives - we were all now her colleagues for justice.

There's perhaps a mystical Jewish belief that passing away around Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is in fact highly auspicious; the "Court On High"may be summoning the most righteous and meritorious among the deceased to assist Heaven in its many upcoming New Year Judgements. Should any of that be true, I'm sure RBG is continuing to decide - rigorously, warmly, wittily and justly - the most complicated cases right now!