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Temple dean testifies for Sotomayor

Nearly 10 hours into the fourth day of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearing, JoAnne A. Epps, dean of the Temple University Beasley School of Law, testified yesterday evening in praise of the nominee and urged that senators "send a strong message" by confirming her.

Nearly 10 hours into the fourth day of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearing, JoAnne A. Epps, dean of the Temple University Beasley School of Law, testified yesterday evening in praise of the nominee and urged that senators "send a strong message" by confirming her.

Epps, addressing the hearing as part of its final panel of outside witnesses, spoke in her capacity as cochair of the National Association of Women Lawyers' Committee for the Evaluation of Supreme Court Nominees.

The NAWL, she said, concluded that Sotomayor was "eminently qualified for this position." In response to a question from Sen. Ted Kaufman (D., Del.), Epps also said the association's many interviews had found "universally" that Sotomayor had "an extraordinarily appropriate judicial temperament."

Epps, 58, who joined Temple's law faculty in 1985 and was appointed dean last year, said that in its evaluation, the NAWL put a special emphasis on matters of women's rights and issues affecting women.

The NAWL "cares deeply" about the Supreme Court's composition, Epps said. Sotomayor is a "product of her experiences," and her perspectives as a woman and a Latina would be welcome additions to the court, she said.

Epps said female lawyers still faced barriers to advancement, and cited figures to support her statement. If Sotomayor is confirmed, she said, that "will clearly demonstrate that highly qualified women have a rightful place" at the top of the legal profession.

- Inquirer staff