Thomas R. Lee '91 Sworn in as Utah Supreme Court Justice

Thomas R. Lee was sworn in July 19th as the Utah Supreme Court's newest justice.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, for whom Lee clerked in the mid-1990s, delivered the oath of office.

"I believe he is perfectly suited for this office," Thomas told a standing-room only crowd in the court's chambers. "Tom Lee's life has prepared him for this calling."

The hour-long ceremony, which Lee described as "one part eulogy and one part roast," was filled with laughter and praise for the 45-year-old Lee.

Joel Wakefield, who attended BYU and the University of Chicago law school with Lee, said his friend was a humble man who never even mentioned his father happened to be the president of BYU while they were attending classes.

Wakefield said Lee had an "unflinching commitment to a deep understanding of the law" and would sacrifice greatly for class and study time.