WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown sworn into U.S. Supreme Court Bar

Winston-Salem State University Chancellor Bonita Brown was sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court Bar on March 21 in a prestigious ceremony in Washington, DC.

Brown, who earned her juris doctorate degree from Wake Forest University School of Law, was sworn in with a delegation of 40 Wake Forest Law alumni, who are now allowed to practice before the nation’s highest court.

Admission to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar grants the right to file petitions, motions and briefs directly with the Court and to present oral arguments in granted cases.

“Being sworn into the Bar of the United States Supreme Court is a moment I will never forget,” Brown said. “As chancellor of Winston-Salem State University and an alumna of Wake Forest School of Law, I was proud to stand in that historic chamber carrying with me the legacy of WSSU and the hopes of our students, alumni and HBCU community.”

All applicants must meet the criteria for bar admission before being confirmed for the Wake Forest Law biennial trip. To be admitted, an attorney must: be in good standing with their state bar; have been practicing law for at least three years; be sponsored by two current members of the Supreme Court Bar; apply and pay a fee; and take the oath of admission.

The two-day event began with a welcome reception on March 20 at the Kimpton Hotel George, where alumni and their guests – 80 in total – gathered with Wake Forest Law Dean Andrew Klein, said Megan Ratley, director of Law Alumni Engagement for Wake Forest Law.

The next morning, the group had breakfast at the Supreme Court, followed by a special visit from Chief Justice John Roberts, who shared insights from his career and answered questions.

Attendees witnessed the Court deliver two opinions and observed the swearing-in of a group of JAG officers before Klein moved for admission of the Wake Forest alumni.

“Each of our applicants’ names were read as they stood before the Justices, and then they each repeated the oath of admission given to them by the Clerk of the Court,” Ratley said.

“It was a surreal experience,” Brown said. “It was amazing.”

Before assuming their respective roles in Winston-Salem, Brown and Klein had professional ties while both were working in Ohio. Klein became dean at Wake Forest Law on July 1, 2023, while Brown began her tenure as chancellor of WSSU on July 1, 2024.

In October, the two leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding that creates a pathway for up to two WSSU students to be admitted to Wake Forest School of Law each admission cycle, each with a scholarship of no less than $35,000 per year for up to three years.

“As two anchor institutions of higher education in this community, the partnership between our schools was a natural fit,” Klein said during the signing. “And with Chancellor Brown’s deep ties to Wake Forest, the coming together of our institutions is a positive development for our region, indeed for our entire state.”

Brown also serves on the Wake Forest Law Board of Visitors.