March 26, 2025

ASU Law honors the 95th birthday of the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

In honor of what would have been Sandra Day O’Connor’s 95th birthday on March 26, members of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University reflected on how her legacy continues to shape the college’s classrooms.

 

O’Connor’s legacy endures at ASU Law, where it inspires the next generation of lawyers and underscores the importance of public service.

 

For Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law Stacy Leeds, the key is instilling O’Connor’s values in students.

 

“I frequently share with our students that Justice O'Connor's strong commitment to public service will always drive our law school's mission and impact,” Leeds said. “She remains the only modern Supreme Court Justice to have served in all three branches of government. These experiences gave her a unique set of skills, grounded in the pragmatism and appreciation for the unique roles lawyers can play across federal, state and local systems.”

 

O’Connor was a strong advocate for the rule of law, both domestically and internationally. Her dedication to traveling the world to work with judges and lawyers in emerging democracies reflected her belief that stable legal systems are foundational to justice and peace. Vice Dean and Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law Angela Banks carries forward her vision through ASU Law’s International Rule of Law and Security program, preparing future professionals to navigate the complexities of the rule of law in fragile and post-conflict states.

 

But it’s not just through the IRLS program that O’Connor’s legacy is sustained, but through her research.

 

“Justice O’Connor’s post-retirement commitment to civic education is an aspect of her legacy that I have incorporated into my research,” Banks said. “In 2009, Justice O’Connor founded iCivics because she wanted to ensure that students in the United States had the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in a democratic society. My book, Civic Education in the Age of Mass Migration: Implications for Theory and Practice, builds on this legacy. In this book, I offer an inclusive approach to membership that enables civic education to prepare all students for meaningful civic participation within democratic societies.”   

 

O’Connor not only set the standard for women and trailblazers across the nation but also inspired those in Arizona. She was a founder of the Arizona Women Lawyers Association and the National Association of Women Judges and the first woman to serve in the Arizona State Senate.

 

For Erin Scharff, associate dean of research and faculty development and professor of law, O’Connor was a personal role model.

 

“I grew up in Arizona, and as a young girl, it was just so powerful to realize that this trailblazer was also someone in my home state,” Scharff said. “I feel lucky to get to teach at her law school, and I hope that in my scholarship and teaching, I am honoring her legacy as someone deeply committed to public service and to the public good. I want my students to understand that as lawyers, we not only serve clients but also have a unique responsibility to serve society and strengthen democratic institutions.”

 

O’Connor’s legacy continues to inspire and shape the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, guiding students to embrace public service and the rule of law. Through her influence, ASU Law fosters a new generation of lawyers committed to strengthening democratic institutions and serving society.

Written by Crystal Jimenez