Sonia Sotomayor Quotes

Listening is a positive act: you have to put yourself out to do it.

Discipline is part of my professional training as a lawyer.

I was interested in getting courtroom experience. When I was a young lawyer, the only way I could get real courtroom experience was in the criminal law field.

One of the local reporters assured me Garrison would put in an appearance for the cross-examination, but as the courtroom settled down and the rear doors were closed, there was no sign of him.

The single most important key to success is to be a good listener.

Lawyers should clearly be instructed to address me as “Chief Justice.”

When it comes down to business, everybody is very businesslike... I have never felt any difficulty in dealing with any of these situations.

As a judge, I have always treated colleagues and litigants with the utmost respect.

What I've learned over the years... judges are conscientious... not like lawyers, who give opinions.

I hope I'm always appropriate on 'JR' if it's a serious case. But if you have a case of a man who has a wardrobe malfunction with a lime green mankini, even I on the odd occasion find it mildly amusing.

I've dealt with a lot of producers who were pricks and I'm determined not to be that.

how many times would a defendant's lawyer enter the courtroom before a session and ask each of the male clerks and paralegals around me, 'Are you the assistant in charge?' while I sat there invisible to him at the head of the table?

I liked to go to court. I became a lawyer because of the allure of the courtroom, not necessarily to be chained to an office desk.

Courage is the most important attribute of a lawyer.

We believe trial judges confronted with disruptive, contumacious, stubbornly defiant defendants must be given sufficient discretion to meet the circumstances in each case.

I have heard that a man might be his own lawyer, but you can't be your own judge.

Listening well is an exercise of attention and by necessity hard work. It is because they do not realize this or because they are not willing to do the work that most people do not listen well.

One is either judge or accused. The judge sits, the accused stands. Live on your feet.

The legal system works really well, if you communicate a certain way. But if you don't, it all goes to Hell in a handbasket really quickly.

He who has the judge for his father goes into court with an easy mind.

I stand for judgment: answer: shall I have it?

The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met; The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismay'd. For death is a debt, A debt on demand. So take what I owe.

You don't know a woman until you've met her in court.

When a doctor is performing an operation, his mind cannot be somewhere else.

You can't influence somebody when you're judging them.