Honorable Deborah A. Batts was the first African American faculty member at Fordham Law School and a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. She joined Fordham Law in 1984, taught various law courses, and later became an adjunct professor while serving on the federal bench. Judge Batts was known for breaking barriers and opening doors as the first African American to receive tenure at Fordham Law and the first openly LGBTQ federal judge.
She was highly respected and beloved within the Fordham Law community, and her brilliance, passion, and friendship will be greatly missed. Judge Batts had a distinguished legal career, having graduated from Harvard Law School and serving as an associate at Cravath, Swaine Moore before becoming an assistant U.S. attorney. She was actively involved in various bar associations and served on the boards of educational institutions. Her legacy as a trailblazer and advocate for justice will continue to inspire future generations.
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