Alberto Gonzales – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Leadership, Law, and Learning: Alberto Gonzales at SHSU

by Michelle Moya

To round off an eventful week, we had the honor of hearing Judge Alberto Gonzales provide both inspiring and informative perspectives. Known for his distinguished career in law, government, and academia–which Olivia Discon shared with us in her introduction…

…Gonzales shared invaluable insights, drawing from his extensive experience as the 80th U.S. Attorney General, White House Counsel to President George W. Bush, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and, most recently, as the Dean of Belmont Law School.

Judge Gonzales began with a visual presentation that showcased personal photographs from his time in the White House, and President George W. Bush, as well as images from his early years.

These visuals setting the tone as powerful reminders of how far a dedicated individual can go—from humble beginnings to the highest levels of government.

But it was principles taught to him by his parents, he explained, that guided him from his humble beginnings as one of eight children born to a construction worker through the highest levels of government service. Gonzales underscored the guiding principles that shaped his path, particularly the importance of “showing up,” his father both literally and figuratively taught him, which he emphasized as a key tenet of the work ethic he hopes to instill in any student.

The presentation seamlessly transitioned into an insightful comparison of Gonzales’ two high-profile roles: White House Counsel and U.S. Attorney General. Judge Gonzales, having held both prestigious positions, offered unique perspectives on these roles that few Americans can provide.

He explained that while both positions serve the American people, they do so in vastly different ways—the White House Counsel advises the President and a select group of legal advisors, while the Attorney General leads the nation’s legal apparatus, overseeing thousands of lawyers, acting as the chief law enforcement officer, and spending a lot of time on television.

Perhaps one of Gonzales’s most memorable moments was being the “designated survivor” by President during the 2007 State of the Union Address.

Using this opportunity to explain the presidential line of succession—from Vice President to Speaker of the House and beyond—and his own astonishment at the possibility that, under catastrophic circumstances, he could have become President of the United States.

Gonzales also focused on the importance of professional networks, sharing his own journey–from serving in the Air Force to attending Rice and then Harvard Law–which led to meeting Governor George W. Bush. This connection would profoundly shape Gonzales’s career–and it is clear his appreciation for this impact remains deeply felt.

When Jacob Wessels asked Gonzales what his most difficult action as Attorney General was, the former AG mentioned the investigation of former Congressman William Jefferson, which involved a search of the Representative’s congressional office.

While law-enforcement officials argued that the search was necessary to nail down a conviction, Gonzales was concerned about long-held principles relating to the separation of powers. He authorized the search, which was challenged in court (eventually being ruled partially unconstitutional), but Congressman Jefferson was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison-the longest such sentence imposed on a member of congress.

Having served many prestigious roles, Judge Gonzales distilled his philosophy into three key characteristics: integrity, vision, and discipline—qualities he emphasized as essential for success in both law and public service.

In addition to his reflections on leadership and ethics, Gonzales offered practical advice for students considering law school as Dean of Belmont Law–to which we listened attentively!

His advice was both practical and powerful: highlighting the importance of staying informed about current legal issues and honing strong writing skills—fundamental abilities for anyone pursuing a career in law and government careers. Gonzales also offered advice to students hoping to go to law school, from what to include on personal statements to the importance of GPA and LSAT scores.

Throughout the session, students were able to pose a range of thoughtful questions.

I had the chance to ask about Gonzales’s time on the TX Supreme Court, which he indicated he wasn’t sure was right for him. Gonzales had spent little time in a courtroom, and he had never been a judge before the appointment. Eventually, though, he decided that service was his calling, and this position led to his eventual appointment as White House Counsel and US Attorney General.

For SHSU students, this interactive discussion proved a great learning experience. As a thank you, LEAP ambassador Chrissy provided Judge Gonzales with a signed copy of the “The FBI Code” by former Assistant FBI Director Frank Figliuzzi. Grateful for his time and wisdom, we left the event motivated to dream big and stay committed to our paths of service and leadership!

Former Attorney General and Law School Dean, Alberto Gonzales, Speaks to LEAP Students

Sam Houston State University students were given the opportunity to meet Alberto Gonzales, former Attorney General and White House Counsel for President George W. Bush, thanks to Col. David Yebra, who brings in Gonzales each year as part of a leadership program.

The program began with a video providing an overview of Gonzales’s life and career, which Gonzales then elaborated on in person.

Several themes struck a chord, including Gonzales’s background–his parents, for example, had almost no formal education, a point that resonated with several of our students. Judge Gonzales also passionately described the need for capable people to fill public service jobs. He noted that as a law-school dean, he not only looked for students who would be successful for private firms, but also emerge as leaders in the public sector.

Interestingly, we paused our discussion with Judge Gonzales for him to do an interview with a Canadian broadcasting company; Gonzales was in high demand: former President Trump had just been indicted, and people wanted the former AG’s opinion.

Students asked several questions, ranging from what he took from his upbringing (Michelle C.) to whether Laura Bush was as a sweet as she seemed to be (Sarah-Hope C.).

Judge Gonzales gave Pre-Law students also offered advice to students hoping to go to law school, from what to include on personal statements, the best application strategies, and a bit of information about Belmont Law, where Gonzales serves as Dean.

As thanks for joining us, Professor Yawn gave a copy of High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic. Interestingly, the movie, High Noon, has been screened more times than any other film in the White House.

Judge Gonzales was also so kind as to sign a copy of his book True Faith and Allegiance for Samantha Whittaker, a freshman and aspiring attorney.

The event was inspirational and educational, and we offer many thanks to both Col. Yebra and Judge Gonzales for spending time with us.

A Matter of Justice: Law with Judge Gonzales

March 31^,2022, Heather Barodi

Every spring, the LEAP Center works with Lt. Col. David Yebra to bring in Judge Alberto Gonzales to speak with students, and every year the event is informative, entertaining, and rewarding.

Judge Gonzales obtained his undergraduate from Rice University and his J.D. from Harvard Law. He became the first Hispanic partner at Vinson & Elkins, Texas Secretary of State, TX Supreme Court Justice, White House Counsel, and Attorney General of the United States. He is now Dean of Belmont University’s Law School.

One of the things we learned, which might seem small, is that typically you refer to a person by his highest office. In Gonzales’s case, that would be “General Gonzales,” but since Gonzales was in the military as a Private, and because he doesn’t want anyone confusing him as a military General, he prefers “Judge Gonzales.”

Out of all the advice about life and law school he provided us with, the most impactful one was on how to approach difficult situations or problems. He told us that “if you ever go to someone with a problem, you should always have a solution.” Even if the solution is not the strongest, it is a starting point which can serve as a starting point for improvement. This advice is vastly applicable, whether it is a situation with our families, jobs, or even life changing decisions.

Of course we also enjoyed hearing about his time as White House Counsel, Attorney General, and Dean of Belmont Law. But it was his advice that likely stuck with us the most: “you should be happy when you are pursuing your career and navigating through life because you cannot be as helpful if you are not happy.”

We are very appreciative and fortunate to have been given this opportunity to meet Judge Gonzales and we hope to have him visit Sam Houston State again in the near future!

A Day With Judge Gonzales

This semester, we hosted former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales again at SHSU. A group of about 12 students were selected to ask him questions about his career and solicit his advice on a number of topics.