The Hon. James E. Graves Jr. L'80, G'81, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, will deliver the 2007 Commencement address to graduates of the Syracuse University College of Law on Sunday, May 20, at 1 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Graves is a graduate of SU College of Law and holds a master's degree in public administration from SU's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Graves began his governor-appointed term as judge on the Mississippi Supreme Court in November 2001; he was elected by the people in November 2004. He previously served as a Circuit Court judge for 10 years, director of the Division of Child Support Enforcement of the Mississippi Department of Human Services and staff attorney at Central Mississippi Legal Services. As special assistant attorney general, he was head of the Human Services Division of the state Attorney General's Office. He also engaged in private law practice.
Graves attended Millsaps College (Miss.), where he received a bachelor's degree in sociology. After working at the Department of Public Welfare for two years, he enrolled in SU College of Law.
A noted educator, orator and humanitarian, Graves has been recognized by numerous organizations for his commitment to the principle "equal justice for all." He has taught at Harvard and Stanford law schools, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College (Miss.) and Millsaps. He also served as jurist-in-residence at SU College of Law.
