The American Justice System and the Future

The American Justice System and the Future

During this session of Inspiring Conversations, we will discuss “The American Justice System and the Future" with Attorney General for the District of Columbia Karl Racine and Richard (Dick) Nussbaum '74, Partner at Sopko, Nussbaum, Inabnit & Kaczmarek in South Bend, Ind. In our time together, Mr. Racine will share about his path to becoming the first person elected to this prestigious office, his priorities to transform lives through the role, and also the ways he is making a difference outside of his official capacities. Through his experience as a practicing attorney and his many service roles at the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Nussbaum will share his approach to leadership, as well as his perspective on the future of the American judicial system.

Introducing “The American Justice System and the Future”

Presented by Chris Stevens

Chris Stevens ’74, Co-Founding Director of the Inspired Leadership Initiative, provides an introduction to this week’s topic: “The American Justice System and the Future” and our two special guests: Karl Racine and Dick Nussbaum ’74.

Meet Karl Racine

Presented by Chris Stevens

Karl Racine became the first elected Attorney General for the District of Columbia in 2015 and was reelected in 2018. Mr. Racine’s priorities include preserving affordable housing, employing evidence-based juvenile justice reforms, cracking down on slumlords, holding unscrupulous employers accountable for wage theft, and protecting consumers from scams and abusive business practices. He is also committed to making investments in new efforts to protect seniors and other vulnerable residents, interrupt violence in the District, address childhood trauma, and more. 

Through his work as president of the bipartisan National Association of Attorneys General and as Chair Emeritus of the Democratic Attorneys General Association’s Executive Committee, Attorney General Racine also speaks out for D.C. autonomy at the national level and pushes back against federal government policies that harm District residents.

Attorney General Racine draws on over 25 years of legal and leadership experience in his work on behalf of District residents. Mr. Racine has worked in both the public and private sector, including becoming the first African American to be named Managing Partner of a top 100 law firm. 

Mr. Racine was born in Haiti but excelled in his education in D.C. public schools before eventually graduating from St. John’s College High School. An All-Metropolitan basketball player there and then team captain at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Racine next earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. His commitment to equal justice was inspired by his parents, who fled authoritarian rule in Haiti to start a better life in the United States, and by the lawyers of the Civil Rights Movement, who used the law to make positive social change.

Outside of his official role, Attorney General Racine remains involved with a variety of causes, including youth literacy and mentoring.

Meet Dick Nussbaum '74

Presented by Chris Stevens

Richard (Dick) Nussbaum II ’74 is a partner with Sopko, Nussbaum, Inabnit, & Kaczmarek in South Bend, Ind. He is a proud Notre Dame alum who is now a member of the Board of Trustees at the University and was once president of the Notre Dame Alumni Association. His philosophy when it comes to practicing law is to earn the trust and respect of the people he works with and obtain the best possible results for his clients with integrity, professionalism, and efficiency. These beliefs are what has helped him earn an AV Martindale Hubbell rating by his peers. A member of the Monogram Club, Nussbaum was featured in Strong of Heart, which tells the stories of the people of Notre Dame Athletics.

Nussbaum says at the end of the day, his family is his anchor and the source of his greatest joy. He loves watching Notre Dame sporting events and relaxing with his family, including his children and grandchildren. Every year he saves his birthday cards to look back and realize how lucky he is.

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Presented by Chris Stevens

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Featured Speakers: 

  • Karl Racine, Attorney General, District of Columbia
  • Richard Nussbaum II, Partner, Sopko, Nussbaum, Inabnit, & Kaczmarek 
  • Chris Stevens, Co-Founding Director, Inspired Leadership Initiative

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