STCL Houston Law Professor, Harvard Law Classmate to U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Judge Jackson Witnesses Hearings Firsthand, Shares Insights on Candidate with National Media

For South Texas College of Law Houston Law Professor Njeri Mathis Rutledge’s birthday Monday, she received the ultimate present: tickets to attend the first two days of confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominee for the U.S Supreme Court.

“I am so happy to participate in this historic event,” Rutledge said. In the photos of the first day of the hearings, Prof. Rutledge is wearing royal blue and sitting a few rows behind Judge Jackson as she is introduced.

Even before President Joe Biden made his historic announcement that Judge Jackson would be his nominee for the Supreme Court, Prof. Rutledge believed her Harvard Law classmate would be chosen.

“She’s a brilliant jurist, and I knew she would stand out, even among such a strong group of exceptional Black women,” Prof. Rutledge said. “Judge Jackson has distinguished herself for having a thoughtful and brilliant legal mind. She has presided over complex legal issues, and her record demonstrates her reputation as a fair and impartial judge.”

Prof. Rutledge has written about the top Supreme Court candidates for national publications, and she brings a unique perspective regarding this nomination. She is a legal expert, professor, writer, and former prosecutor. Before joining academia, she served as a prosecuting attorney for Harris County, one of the largest district attorney offices in the nation. She graduated from Spelman College and Harvard Law School.

The STCL Houston professor of law first heard about the nomination of Judge Jackson when driving her daughter to school. “My phone started pinging when the news broke, and I was filled with tremendous joy,” Prof. Rutledge said. “She has the experience, character, integrity, and dedication to the Constitution and the rule of law to serve. She is a tremendous role model and a faithful friend. In law school, she was brilliant, down-to-earth, and kind. I am overjoyed my law school classmate has reached this important milestone. While this moment is indeed historic, it is also clear from her record and credentials that she was destined for this moment.”

Because of her strong connection to Judge Jackson and her own legal expertise and experience, Prof. Rutledge has been called upon by numerous media outlets to discuss the nomination of Judge Jackson. She also has written a number of articles and op-eds as well. Please see below for a selection of this local, regional and national coverage.

About Professor Rutledge:

Njeri Mathis Rutledge is a legal expert, writer, former judge, former prosecutor, and professor at South Texas College of Law Houston. Before joining academia, she served as a prosecuting attorney for Harris County, one of the largest district attorney’s offices in the nation. Her experience has given her a unique perspective on criminal law, criminal justice, and reform. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Spelman College and her law degree from Harvard Law School.

During her years as a prosecutor, Professor Rutledge prosecuted hundreds of cases and served in the Family Criminal Law Division, Juvenile Division, Misdemeanor, and Felony divisions. She served as the lead or first chair prosecutor in over two dozen jury trials. In 2005 she became a law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston. In 2009 she was appointed to serve as an associate judge for the city of Houston where she served for twelve years. When serving as a judge, her responsibilities included magistrate functions of reviewing search warrants, issuing emergency protective orders, and providing statutory warnings. She frequently speaks and writes in the areas of race, domestic violence, employment law, criminal law and procedure, criminal justice reform, constitutional law, and crime victim compensation.

She began her legal career as a civil litigator specializing in labor and employment law at Baker Botts. In addition to serving as a law professor, she is an Opinion Columnist for USA Today where she serves on the Board of Contributors. She grew up in Goodlettsville, Tennessee which is a suburb of Nashville. She is a member of Jack & Jill of America and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not teaching, judging, mothering, or cooking, she likes to go to the beach. She currently resides in Houston, Texas with her family.

For interviews with Prof. Rutledge, contact the STCL Houston marketing and communications team at 713-646-1799 or 713-646-1794, or by email at MarCom@stcl.edu.