Maryland Carey Law was honored to host Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen Valihura for two events on April 10. Jointly organized by the Business Law Program and the Women, Leadership & Equality (WLE) Program, Valihura’s visit began with an intimate luncheon and ended with a personal dialogue with the Hon. Michelle Harner. Valihura shared insights from over a decade on Delaware’s highest court, her trailblazing journey as only the second woman appointed to the bench in the Court’s history, and her experience in corporate law.
“Women on the Bench”
Justice Valihura joined the Honorable Pamela White (ret.) and the Honorable Cara Lewis ‘10 for an intimate luncheon with students from the Business Law and WLE programs. The conversation at the lunch delved into the experiences of women on the bench, mentorship, and leadership in the legal field. Recalling the changing landscape of women’s expectations in the legal field over the years, the judges each shared their journeys to the bench. Being the second woman to be appointed to the Delaware Supreme Court in 2014, Valihura’s journey was a palpable reminder of the challenges that women have faced and continue to face in the legal profession.
Before her appointment to the bench by Governor Jack Markell in 2014, Justice Valihura was a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she built a formidable reputation handling complex corporate disputes, mergers and acquisitions, and governance issues. Her experience in a male-dominated field did not discourage her. Intending to practice disability law when entering law school, she was open to opportunities and found herself interested in pursuing a career in corporate law while volunteering her time in her other areas of interest, such as serving 18 years on the Board of Directors for the Delaware Special Olympics.
Grace Allen ’27 commented, "Attending the roundtable luncheon with Justice Valihura was an incredible opportunity to learn more about the intersection between women in the law and corporate law in Delaware. Hearing Justice Valihura's candid advice about finding your passion within the legal field and breaking barriers as a woman in male-dominated spaces was extremely inspiring."
“Breaking Barriers”
The afternoon conversation, “Breaking Barriers,” moderated by the Honorable Michelle M. Harner, offered attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the most influential jurists in corporate governance and commercial litigation.
Justice Valihura reflected on the importance of mentorship in her legal career, crediting her own mentors at Skadden with shaping her approach to leadership and legal practice. Communication, she emphasized, is not just a soft skill but a cornerstone of success in the legal profession. Acknowledging the high demands of the profession, she also encouraged students and young professionals to prioritize their well-being and maintain a strong sense of service. Alumnus Eric Gibson ’97 shared, “It was great listening to two judges discuss their career paths, changes in the practice of law, and challenges facing the legal profession. I learned a lot from their discussion and during my conversations with them at the reception afterwards.”