Member News

Unexampled Courage

February 05, 2019

Richard M. Gergel of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina has published a new book, Unexampled Courage: The Blinding of Sgt. Isaac Woodard and the Awakening of President Harry S. Truman and Judge J. Waties Waring. This prolific work tells the inspirational account of Sergeant Isaac Woodard, a returning, decorated African American veteran who was forcibly removed from a Greyhound bus in Batesburg, South Carolina, and beaten and blinded while in custody.

Judge Gergel’s Unexampled Courage details the impact of the blinding of Sergeant Woodard on the racial awakening of President Truman and Judge J. Waties Waring, and traces their influential roles in changing the course of America’s civil rights history.

Learn more here.

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Kneedler Retires After 160 SCOTUS Arguments

After presenting his 160th—and final—argument before the U.S. Supreme Court, ALI member Edwin S. Kneedler, the longest-serving deputy solicitor general in modern history, received a rare and emotional tribute: a standing ovation from the justices and audience alike. Known for his unmatched legal acumen, nonpartisan integrity, and commitment to the rule of law, Kneedler spent more than four decades representing the United States before the Court. His retirement marks the end of an era, and his legacy stands in sharp contrast to growing concerns about politicization in government legal work. Described by colleagues across administrations as a "national treasure" and the "embodiment of the government lawyer ideal," Kneedler leaves behind a legacy of quiet excellence, humility, and unwavering public service.

Read the coverage in The New York Times (subscription required).

ABA Spotlights John Bruce Lewis

The American Bar Association interviewed John Bruce Lewis as part of its "Voice of Experience" series. Read the full spotlight on the ABA's website.

Justice Goodwin Liu to Deliver 2025 USD School of Law Commencement Address

ALI Council member and California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu will address University of San Diego (USD) School of Law graduates at the 68th commencement on Saturday, May 17.