Q&A: Judge Thomas D. Schroeder

Judge Thomas D. Schroeder ’84 J.D. has served as a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina since his appointment by former President George W. Bush in 2008. A proud graduate of Notre Dame Law School, Judge Schroeder has built a distinguished career defined by integrity, respect for the rule of law, and a deep sense of service. In this Q&A, he reflects on the formative influence of his legal education and mentors, his judicial philosophy, and the enduring impact of Notre Dame’s values on his life and work.

Can you tell us a little about your background, your early life, and what inspired you to pursue law and attend Notre Dame?

I grew up as the middle of five children in what you’d call a middle-class environment. Initially, I thought I’d pursue a career in music, as I was a trumpet player, but realized that was not to be my vocation. My next-door neighbor in high school was a prosecutor and then judge, and his influence sparked my interest in the law. I would on occasion watch him in court and admired how he treated everyone with compassion no matter what the situation. I chose Notre Dame because of its Catholic mission as well as the fact that the National Institute for Trial Advocacy was headquartered there and I wanted to be a trial lawyer. Because I had no family members who were lawyers, I frankly really didn’t know what lawyers did on a day-to-day basis.

Looking back, did your time at Notre Dame Law School shape the values that guide your work and approach to the law?

Undoubtedly. At law school, I was taught to consider how the law relates to and affects people, and I am sure that helped me try to remember in every case I handled the need to treat all litigants with dignity and to consider the effect of the litigation on them. The law school environment was also collegial, not competitive, and that taught me that I could be a zealous advocate while treating my opposing counsel with respect, just as I would my colleagues. I was also involved in my law firm’s management as a practice group leader and later as a member of the firm’s management committee, and I served as vice chairman. Those same values influenced how I treated everyone in the firm, from the chairman to the mailroom clerks.

Do any faculty at Notre Dame stand out as especially formative in your development as a lawyer or as a judge?

Yes. Judge Kenneth F. Ripple was probably the most influential faculty member. Back then, the Law School paired 1Ls with a faculty member alphabetically. It was my great fortune to have been paired with Judge Ripple as my advisor at Notre Dame Law School. He introduced himself to me immediately, and he and his wife Mary invited me and my closest classmates to their house for dinner. He made it clear that if I ever felt that I needed some good counsel, to just tell him, “I’d like to get together for a cup of coffee.” That was the code phrase for “we need to talk!” We have kept in touch over the years, and he was kind enough to accept my request to make remarks at my investiture as a federal judge in 2008. I hope he knows what an important figure he was in my life.

When a case is under intense public scrutiny, how does your judicial approach guide your decision-making?

All cases are important. In every case, I endeavor to make sure that what the court does is transparent, so the litigants and the public have confidence that, whether or not they agree with my decision, they know that I worked hard to understand the issues and rendered what I thought was the correct decision. I do not hold conferences in chambers. Everything I do is addressed in the courtroom or on the public record. I do make sure that everyone has had a fair opportunity to be heard, and in issuing my decision I try to articulate it in a way that can be understood not only by the litigants, but also by the public, who deserves to be able to understand the ruling as well.

What advice would you offer to law students and young lawyers?

I would encourage young lawyers to remember why they chose law as a profession: to help others. It is easy to get sucked into the machinery of day-to-day legal practice, particularly with larger firms. To be sure, I have nothing against larger law firms; I worked in one and enjoyed it immensely. The sophisticated legal challenges provide a great opportunity for younger lawyers. Volunteer, do pro bono, and give back to the community. The community needs good lawyers.