This September, James Tysse, a 2006 graduate of UVA Law, will serve as one of four U.S. Supreme Court fellows during the upcoming 2010-2011 session. Tysse was selected from among eight finalists after two days of intensive interviews, which took place last January, with Elena Kagan and former Justice O’Connor, a dinner at the Supreme Court and an introduction to the Chief Justice.
During his time serving at the U.S. Supreme Court, Tysse will specifically work at the Sentencing Commission where he’ll conduct research of sentencing guidelines. Tysse developed an interest in this area while he was studying for his JD at UVA and specifically points to a class on criminal law and psychiatry taught by Professor Hafemeister. Since graduating, Tysse has clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit for Judge Henderson.
The U.S. Supreme Court fellowship was created in 1973 by then Chief Justice Burger to give lawyers an insider’s view of the judicial branch. Although the application process was rigorous, Tysse states that this is a “tremendous honor” and one that comes as a result of the support he received from his alma mater. Ruth Payne and Yared Getachew, the Director of Judicial Clerkships and Assistant Dean for Public Service at UVA Law, respectively, were instrumental in guiding Tysse through the application process and Tysse admits that “UVA Law made this position possible.”
