When I first became a judge on the district court, I had one lawyer who came to argue before me, and he was looking off to the side as he was talking. I started asking him questions, and all of a sudden he whipped around and looked at me intently. I could see in his eyes that he had finally figured out, "This is no dummy, I'd better pay attention." It is satisfying to see that.

If your child marches to a different beat, a different drummer, you might just have to go along with that music. Help them achieve what’s important to them.

The best I could say about third grade was that it was a more or less continuous state of dread.

Until we reach equality in education, we can't reach equality in the larger society.

Reaching a conclusion has to start with what the parties are arguing, but examining in all situations carefully the facts as they prove them or not prove them, the record as they create it, and then making a decision that is limited to what the law says on the facts before the judge.

Personal experiences affect the facts that judges choose to see.

Same way I have my entire life. Keep my family and friends close. My Latino friends close. I visit the island [Puerto Rico] as often as I humanly can.