Ready for the Rule of Law competition this upcoming month? Sponsored by the Supreme Court Historical Society, teens are invited to explore themes of justice, equity, fairness, rules, and/or laws in any (or all) of three genres: personal narrative; opinion writing; and creative writing (e.g. poetry, fiction, screenwriting). This year’s creative writing entries will be reviewed by guest judge The Honorable Melissa DuBose, a distinguished federal judge for the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. Judge DuBose recently shared her reflections on the intersection of writing and law, along with reading recommendations and advice for young writers.
One thing people might know is that lawyers have to write… a lot! Could you tell us about the role of writing in your own work and life?
One thing people might not realize is just how central writing has been in every chapter of my career. As a schoolteacher, I relied on clear, thoughtful writing to reach my students; as a prosecutor and corporate attorney, precision in writing was essential to presenting arguments and protecting rights; and as a state court judge, and now as a federal judge, writing truly is the bedrock of my work. Every ruling, decision, and explanation of reasoning depends on strong written communication to ensure fairness, transparency, and trust in the justice system.
Before you were a judge and legal scholar, you were a high school teacher of history and civics. How did you encourage your students to engage with the rule of law? What do you carry from that experience into your role as a judge?
As a history and civics teacher, I encouraged my students to engage with the rule of law by serving as an advisor to student government, where my students learned about civic duty, the voting process, and the importance of consensus building and compromise. Through our student court, they practiced restorative justice by talking with peers, answering to a jury of their classmates, and holding one another accountable for the betterment of their community. In mock trial, students worked alongside local lawyers to gain advocacy skills, learn how to apply facts to the law, and see both sides of an issue. We developed a legal studies course to help students understand their rights and responsibilities. All of these experiences reinforced for me that law is not abstract, it is lived, and I carry that belief into my role as a judge, striving to make the law both accessible and just.
"Law is not abstract, it is lived."
-Judge Melissa DuBose
You’ve said that one of your favorite places is the Rochambeau Library in your hometown of Mount Hope, Rhode Island. How did your love of the library play a role in your career path and inform your literacy skills?
The Rochambeau Branch Library was my great escape growing up. Tucked into its reading nooks, I found space and quiet that I didn’t always have at home with three sisters in close quarters. Going there after school became a daily routine, a chance to step away from everything happening around me and an opportunity to dive into a world of self-directed learning. I explored science, novels, biographies, geography, and even dabbled in languages, each book opening new doors of curiosity and understanding. That love of reading not only sharpened my literacy skills but also nurtured the discipline and imagination that shaped every step of my career path.
In high school, you got the senior superlative of “most artistic”! Do you think this skill has played a role in your career as a judge?
Being named “most artistic” in high school was really a reflection of the foundation my mother gave me. Despite a tight budget, she somehow managed to enroll me in drawing classes at the Rhode Island School of Design. Those classes changed my perspective, teaching me to recognize beauty in the world around me and, through portrait work, to see the humanity in others. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life and career, reminding me as a judge to appreciate the uniqueness of every person who comes before the court and to approach each case with both fairness and humanity.
Writing in law is often related to writing legal opinions. What do you think is the value of people writing about law in creative genres like poetry or plays?
Writing about law through creative genres like poetry or plays allows people to connect with the legal system in deeply human and accessible ways. I often think of To Kill a Mockingbird and the character of Atticus Finch, one of my favorites, who helped me see the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of justice. More recently, I read a book called Redaction, where the author transforms legal documents into powerful poetry, showing how even the starkest legal language can carry emotion and meaning. Just as my time in the Rochambeau Library taught me the value of exploring ideas through literature, I believe engaging with the law through the arts gives voice to the passions, struggles, and hopes that the legal system represents.
Do you have any book (or poem, play, song, etc.!) recommendations for young people who are interested in law and justice?
For young people interested in law and justice, I’d recommend a range of works that bring the subject to life in different ways. In addition to To Kill a Mockingbird and Redaction, The Nickel Boys and Just Mercy both powerfully illuminate the human impact of injustice and the fight for reform. W.E.B. Du Bois’s Data Portraits: Visualizing Black America shows how art and data together can tell important truths about equity and society. The Great Dissenter, about Justice John Marshall Harlan, offers lessons on courage and conviction in the face of opposition, and Point Taken explores the art of legal persuasion. I’d also add A Raisin in the Sun, a play that captures the struggles and dreams of a family facing racial and economic injustice, reminding us that law and justice are deeply intertwined with lived experience.
What are you looking for in a winning entry? Any other advice for the writers, especially those who are new to thinking and writing about rule of law?
In a winning entry, I’m looking for clarity of thought and an authentic voice, writing that feels true to the writer’s perspective. I also appreciate when wordplay and literary devices are used to paint a vivid picture, drawing me into the work. Most of all, I want to feel something, whether it’s sorrow, joy, fear, courage, or strength. For those new to thinking and writing about the rule of law, my advice is simple: be bold, be honest, and let your passion guide your words, because that is what will resonate most.
About Judge Melissa DuBose
On January 3, 2025, Judge DuBose made history as the first Black District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Before her historic federal appointment, she had a distinguished career as an Associate Judge on the Rhode Island State District Court, where she handled both criminal and civil cases in Providence County.
Judge DuBose is deeply committed to both her community and the legal profession. She serves on the Board of Directors for Roger Williams University School of Law and is an active member of the Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in Rhode Island Courts. In 2021, she was also appointed to the Rhode Island Foundation Board, further solidifying her impact on the state.
Prior to her judicial career, Judge DuBose served as senior legal counsel at Schneider Electric, specializing in corporate compliance, ethics, and fair trade. A lifelong Rhode Islander, she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Providence College and went on to teach history for over a decade at Providence Public Schools. She later earned her Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. Afterward, she was appointed Special Assistant Attorney General, where she worked in the criminal division.
Judge DuBose’s remarkable journey reflects a lifelong commitment to justice, public service, and equity, leaving a lasting legacy in both Rhode Island's legal community and beyond.
Thank you to the Supreme Court Historical Society for sponsoring this competition. The Supreme Court Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving and collecting the history of the United States Supreme Court, increasing public awareness of the Court's contribution to the constitutional heritage of the United States, and acquiring knowledge covering the history of the entire Judicial Branch. Learn more at supremecourthistory.org and explore resources at civics.supremecourthistory.org.