Supreme Court Justice Scalia to Make Lubbock Appearance

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will visit Lubbock on Nov. 14 for the annual Sandra Day O'Connor Distinguished Lecture Series at Texas Tech University's School of Law. His public presentation is set for 5 p.m. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Scalia, the second most senior associate justice of the nation's high court, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. The event is free to the public, but requires a ticket for admission. Tickets are available at the Texas Tech Law School or by calling (806) 742-3787 ext. 248 or by e-mailing specialevents.law@ttu.edu. According to Walter Huffman, dean of the law school, Scalia has agreed to follow the format established by Justice O'Connor and present an evening presentation to the community at large in addition to separate presentations and student events at the School of Law. "It is always an honor for the Texas Tech University School of Law to host a justice of our nation's highest court, and it is a special privilege to host Justice Scalia," said Huffman. "His articulate and aggressive defense of his position as a strict adherent to the fundamental principles established by the U.S. Constitution has made him one of the most well-known and oft-quoted members of the current court, and I am certain his presentations will be both informative and entertaining." The lecture series is the brainchild of Houston attorney Mark Lanier, a law school alum who founded the Lanier Law Firm with offices in Houston, New York, Los Angeles and Palo Alto. He underwrites the series. Lanier is also the benefactor of the recently opened professional development wing of the law school. Lanier said that Texas Tech has one of the best law schools in the country, but does not get as much national recognition as it deserves.