A Legacy of Justice: Professor Randolph McLaughlin and Judge Malaika N. Scott-McLaughlin

Judge Malaika N. Scott-McLaughlin ’09, a Civil Court Judge for the City of New York, was no stranger to the legal world growing up. As the daughter of Professor Randolph McLaughlin, a renowned civil rights attorney and longtime member of the faculty at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, she spent a lot of time observing him in the classroom teaching and in practice advocating. “By the time I started law school, I was very familiar with the concept and what to expect,” said Judge Scott-McLaughlin. When she enrolled at Pace Haub Law, she began as a part-time student, taking on additional summer courses to transition into a full-time second year student.

She describes her time at the Law School as a “normal law school experience,” full of the challenges and growth typical of law school. Following her graduation in 2009, Judge Scott-McLaughlin served for ten years as a court attorney for the New York State Unified Court System. “Working as a court attorney was a great training ground for learning about litigation,” she shared. “I worked with some wonderful jurists as a new court attorney and I gained insight into what being a judge entails, how to manage a court calendar, how to manage cases, and how to deal with litigants who come before the court.”

Today, as a judge, she brings that insight into the courtroom. “Litigation is a long process, with many steps, and it is very multifaceted. It can be difficult to manage for a litigant appearing without counsel. I try my best to explain the process to litigants and help manage their expectations about the various paths the case could take.”

For Professor McLaughlin, his path to law school began in middle school. He recalls learning about the work that civil rights lawyers had engaged in, fighting segregation and representing activists and he was inspired. “My passion for justice drives my passion for civil rights,” shares Professor McLaughlin. “I hate bullies and those who abuse power. My career has been devoted to standing with the marginalized and representing victims of discrimination and hatred.”

Professor McLaughlin’s passion led him not only into civil rights litigation – including a historic case against the Ku Klux Klan recently featured in an award-winning documentary – but also into academia, where he continues to inspire future generations of law students. “Teaching affords me the opportunity to make contributions to the law, through litigation and scholarship, and to the next generation of lawyers, who are hopefully inspired to engage in this important work in their own communities.”

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Professor McLaughlin never pushed his daughter towards law school and was surprised, yet pleased, when she decided to pursue a career in law. “Since Malaika went on to the bench, I have had many discussions with her concerning how she handles cases and makes decisions,” shared Professor McLaughlin. “Having always been a litigator and never a judge, these conversations gave me insights into how judges struggle to make the right decisions in their cases. It has also helped me to see the judiciary not just as decision-makers, but as lawyers trying to reach a fair and just result.”

For her part, Judge Scott-McLaughlin describes her father as her greatest sounding board. “My father has practiced law for almost 40 years and has a tremendous amount of experience,” she shared. “One of the many lessons I have learned from him is to always keep on your tap dancing shoes because you never know when you will have to pull out the old attorney razzle-dazzle. Also, put out good work and treat people with respect and dignity.”

Just as Professor McLaughlin has gained insight into a judge’s perspective, Judge Scott-McLaughlin describes the compassion she has come to feel for litigants and litigators as well. “One of the lessons I have learned from watching my father litigate civil rights cases is that litigants go through a lot before they come through the doors of the courthouse and decide to file a claim—whether they are pro se or have counsel. It can take courage and bravery for the litigant. It is not easy to be a litigator either. There is tremendous work the attorney must do before the case is ready for trial. So, when litigants appear in front of me, I keep that in mind and try to handle each case with thoughtfulness, compassion and respect.”

Professor McLaughlin is honored by the legacy he sees continuing through his daughter. “Public service is something I was always committed to, and it is humbling to see that same passion for the greater good in my daughter. We share the desire to help others, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Rounding out the family’s legacy at the Law School is Professor McLaughlin’s wife, Debra Cohen, a distinguished alumna of Pace Haub Law and a long-serving adjunct professor. Professors McLaughlin and Cohen also co-chair the Civil Rights Practice Group of Newman Ferrara LLP in Manhattan. Beyond their professional commitments, the family enjoys spending time together with their larger extended families.

“We are a Star Wars and Marvel family – with a little Wicked mixed in,” shared Judge Scott-McLaughlin. “We really enjoy watching these films and others together.” Summers are often spent vacationing in Montauk, where the family gathers for memorable evenings and large dinners. With so many legal minds around the table, conversation is never dull. “Our family dinners are full of spirited discussion—whether it’s dissecting the latest blockbuster or debating a hot legal issue, absolutely nothing is off the table!”