A Tennessee judge drew attention over the weekend after video captured him holding the son of a new attorney, and bouncing the toddler on his hip, as he swore the child’s mother into the state bar.
According to Buzzfeed News, Juliana Lamar’s one-year-old son Beckham was there for his mom’s swearing-in ceremony, but it was Judge Richard Dinkins who suggested that the toddler, who was born while Lamar was still in law school, actually take part.
“On the day of my swearing in, right before we began, Judge said he wanted Beckham to take part in the moment,” Lamar, a Belmont University College of Law graduate, told the news site. “And I am so glad he did because to have my son take part in one of the greatest moments of my life was truly a blessing.”
Lamar’s friend and former classmate caught the sweet interaction on video, quickly raked up more than 650,000 views.
In the brief Dinkins is seen bouncing Beckham on his hip (like a pro), while Lamar repeats her oath.
Buzzfeed notes that after having a C-section to deliver her son, Lamar was back in school a week later, due to her school’s strict policy about missing classes.
“The pressure I felt was horrible, and I hope it has led my law school to rethink its policies for future mothers,” Lamar said. “I understand having a child during law school is often a choice, however, as young female professionals there is not a perfect time for us to have children.”
And of course, there are also people like Judge Dinkins, who Lamar previously worked for as a clerk in the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
“Judge Dinkins has also been a guiding light during my legal career,” Lamar added. “When I was nine months pregnant, the day before I found out I needed to be induced, Judge Dinkins spoke on the importance of voting at an event I hosted as the President of my school’s Black Law Students’ Association. During this event, Judge Dinkins reminded me of how proud he was of me and that he knew I would do great things, even with a baby in tow.”
