Friends: Justice Sotomayor Has a Fun Side

(CBS)  What you might not know about Sonia Sotomayor is that she's not always the reserved workaholic judge she portrayed in the Senate hearings, reports CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews.

Friends, like former law clerk Allison Barkoff say that Sotomayor has a big, engaging New York personality.

"Yeah she's fun, she works hard and plays hard," Barkoff said.

Melissa Murray clerked for two Federal judges, including Sotomayor - and when both judges came to Melissa's wedding, Sotomayor challenged the other judge to a dance off.

"She's incredibly funny," said Murray. "I think people enjoyed seeing that, seeing two federal judges dual it out on the dance floor."

Then there's Sotomayor's now famous Christmas parties, which included salsa dancing inside the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. They were held out in the hallway of the courthouse with a great spread of food, and usually a DJ, Barkoff said.

But what Barkoff also recalls from the party is that Sotomayor knew and invited everyone in the courthouse.

"People who work in the cafeteria, the security guards, the custodians are equally as important as her colleagues," Barkoff said.

In Manhattan Saturday, a group at the Development School for Youth celebrated the judges swearing in. For years Sotomayor asked them, disadvantaged kids from the inner city, to come to court and stage a mock trial of Goldilocks on burglary charges. As they became the jury, prosecution and witnesses, Murray recalls seeing the light go on.

"I think the underlying goal is to make sure these kids see that there's something else that's possible," Murray said.

To her friends, this is what the public did not see in the hearings. A woman who, the more powerful she got, the less she changed.

"I think Judge Sotomayor will be an inspiration to many people," said Federal Judge Miriam Cederbaum. "She has been already."

It's not that the Supreme Court doesn't have its engaging characters - or a fun Christmas party. It has both. But Sotomayor is bringing another level of energy and high-octane personality to the nation's high court.

[kosmith75]

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shall make a wonderful high court judge. Despite what other people might think about this brilliant woman, she will make a great judge. We all are not perfect, and the Hispanic community deserves to have someone from their way of life and background.

[wtcmedic911]

I could care less if she has a fun side or not, her upbringing, her lifes journey. I want ther to read and apply the law as its written or as the con. has directed.

[geminispyder-2009]

Once upon a time, CBS, news and editorials were separate. The difference between CBS News and Fox News, as a "media" organization is that at least Fox News is getting ratings for their efforts.

So CBS, in your bending over for the Obama Administration, you forgot ask your reporters this:
Who gives a crap if if a Justice has a "fun" side?

She's not up for Miss Congeniality; her job is to make decisions based on the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Way to go CBS, you still fail as a news organization.

[OIF_to_USC]

heidilee2, inhale and try not to drool on yourself. We are "not" blessed, lucky, and smiled upon because of Sonya Sotomayor and Barack Obama. Sotomayor had most of her lower federal court cases overturned by higher courts. So why is it good that she should was rewarded with advancement to the Supreme Court for her bad judicial decisions? Wipe your lip and think before you answer.

[gramto8]

Is this what Rush told you? Why don't you go look it up for yourself?

[areuforreal]

by OIF_to_USC August 9, 2009 10:34 AM EDT
heidilee2, inhale and try not to drool on yourself. We are "not" blessed, lucky, and smiled upon because of Sonya Sotomayor and Barack Obama. Sotomayor had most of her lower federal court cases overturned by higher courts. So why is it good that she should was rewarded with advancement to the Supreme Court for her bad judicial decisions? Wipe your lip and think before you answer.

WRONG, try looking up the facts. She has been on the bench for 17 years, and has not had most of her decisions overturned. Repeating Fox News does not make it true. Learn to read, then you might learn what is really going on.

[animaltoo]

Wow, a fun side, a wise side, and a racist side all wrapped in the Latino prerequisite for the appointment.

[BruceRer]

I don't care how happy she is, as long as she understands that the job of the court is to make sure that the constitution does not get in the way of our largest corporations (they are huge, so jesus must love them) making maximum profit, preferably on the backs of useless citizens (they are weak, so obviously jesus hates them). Over a century ago, the court explained that corporations are super-citizens, with more rights and freedoms than humans. It's time we really started to guarantee their happiness. First thing is, if your medical expenses cut into the profit of your insurer, your insurer should have the right to declare you 'totaled' (like what happens with your car when it gets wrecked) and have you scrapped out for parts. You have no right to end-of-life decisions, but your insurance company sure as hell should. If she doesn't get this, then she is a danger to perfect, exquisite capitalism.

[heidilee2]

We are SO blessed, lucky, smiled upon by the 'Man Upstairs' to have as wonderful a Supreme Court Judge as Judge Sotomayor! God Bless President Obama for his choice and God Bless America for giving us such a great new justice!! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you

[animaltoo]

AAh, let me guess, Latino right? Are you legal yet? If not, it will be very soon now.

[gramto8]

AAh, let me guess, Latino right? Are you legal yet? If not, it will be very soon now.

by animaltoo August 8, 2009 9:33 PM EDT

What a racist, sexist comment!! Believe it or not, women have been in the judicial field for a long time and Hispanics have been in the higher branches of government for about the same amount of time. Did you complain when Alberto Gonzales was head of the Justice Department? If not, then you need to shut your trap now.

[pvperson3]

And when I say "you don't have any", I mean fun or life..

[pvperson3]

"fun" m047375 is what makes us humans better than animals, "fun" is what a wise person does to fill the gaps of a rather dull and serious job. It's kinda sad that you can't understand the need for fun in life, I guess you don't have any.

[m047375]

What does being supposedly "fun" have to with being a justice? This person has already proven that she is NOT even a good judge! We shouldn't care what race she is, she is not a good judge or a good person by no means in reality>

[jxknowles]

Yes she's funny. She's also smarter and wiser than Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity and 'fill-in the name of white idiot guy here'.