Subjectivity, Law School, and the Mirror of Justice

On Wednesday, November 20, Catholic Law School Dean Stephen Payne was honored as the 2024-2025 Mirror of Justice Lecturer. The Mirror of Justice Lecture Series, established in 1989, celebrates Mary under the title "Mirror of Justice" and recognizes lawyers and scholars whose contributions advance the pursuit of peace through justice in the law. The lecture is sponsored by the Saint John Paul II Guild of Catholic Lawyers, a student-led organization that promotes justice in the law and advances the intrinsic value of the human person through events like the annual Mirror of Justice lecture. Dean Payne’s 2024 lecture was entitled “Subjectivity, Law School, and the Mirror of Justice.”In his lecture, Dean Payne emphasized the importance of the Catholic intellectual tradition in legal education. He highlighted Catholic Law's commitment to academic rigor and faith, aiming to create a welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their backgrounds. He explained, “This school has always been truly and wonderfully Catholic, meaning that it is available and welcoming to all, including those who aren’t Catholic, those who aren’t religious, and those who may not realize that this rich tradition belongs to them as well and can offer them a great deal for the practice of law and the practice of life.”