Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Beus Center for Law and Society Snell and Wilmer Plaza

The LENS - November and December 2025

As we close out the year at ASU Law, November and December invite us to celebrate our graduating students and the momentum carrying us into 2026. This season is a time to honor their achievements, reflect on our top stories from 2025 and look ahead to the initiatives shaping our future. In this edition of The LENS, we highlight the milestones that defined our year and the new efforts expanding ASU Law’s reach and impact. Thank you for being part of a community that continues to lead, innovate and inspire. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the new year.

Stacy Leeds

Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor
Arizona State University
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
LinkedIn

Law school, reimagined: 25 ways ASU Law changed the game in 2025

2025 was a year of momentum at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, marked by innovation in legal education, historic global partnerships, major achievements, national recognition and new commitments to justice.

Read the story

Giving the gift of justice this holiday season

As we enter a season centered on gratitude and giving, we’re proud to highlight the transformative impact of ASU Law’s Clinical Program. Our 10 clinics provide free legal services across varied areas of need, supporting vulnerable communities while giving students invaluable, hands-on experience serving real clients.

This month’s featured video, Invest in justice: Why your support for ASU Law clinics matters, showcases how philanthropy, mentorship and community partnerships directly expand access to justice and strengthen the next generation of legal professionals.

Watch the video to see how your support makes a difference, and explore ways to get involved this holiday season.

ASU Law launches Civil Rights, Migration and Workplace Law Initiative

After 20 years in gymnastics, ASU Law grad finds new purpose in sports industry

ASU Law grad revives a long-paused dream of legal study

Gene Smith to address ASU Law’s Fall 2025 graduates at Dec. 17 convocation ceremony

ASU Law grad discovers a new path through lifelong learning

Grad strengthens leadership in clean energy through legal studies

ASU Law’s MSLB program and Women Leaders in Sports partner on updated analysis of NCAA athletic director career paths

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer named 2026 O’Connor Justice Prize recipient

Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and American Indian Policy Institute's Indigenous Leadership Academy at ASU Law launch Tribal Energy Leaders Fellowship

Jan
20

AI and Law CLE: Discrimination/Bias/Fairness
January 20 | 12 - 1 p.m. (AZ)
Beus Center for Law and Society, Room 550

Jan
20

Celebrating the Life, Legacy and Service of Dr. Martin Luther King
January 20 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (AZ)
Beus Center for Law and Society, W. P. Carey Armstrong Great Hall

In partnership with the Civil Rights, Migration and Workplace Law Initiative and the Center for Law, Science and Innovation, we invite you to join us for an important conversation on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Speakers: Vice Dean Angela Banks, former EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows and former EEOC Chair Jenny Yang

Jan
29

40 Hour Civil Mediation Training
January 29 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (AZ)
Beus Center for Law and Society or on Zoom

The Lodestar Dispute Resolution Center at ASU Law has partnered with Mediate.com to bring you a highly interactive 40-hour skills-based program designed to provide a clear framework for those seeking to become civil mediators. Through lecture, interactive exercises, and role-playing experiences, participants will learn the skills to effectively mediate disputes. We are delighted to have Dr. Clare Fowler join us as the lead trainer, bringing a wide range of experience and expertise in the dispute resolutions field.

Feb
19

The Precarity of the Rule of Law
February 19 | 6 p.m. (AZ)
Beus Center for Law and Society, W. P. Carey Armstrong Great Hall

Hosted by the Civil Rights, Migration and Workplace Law Initiative, this event will offer an in-depth exploration of the Rule of Law—examining its foundations, challenges and applications both within the United States and across the globe.

Speaker: Michelle Behnke, ABA President

March
30-31

2026 ASU Arkfeld eDiscovery Conference
March 30 - 31
Beus Center for Law and Society

This year’s conference will feature nationally recognized judges, practitioners, experts and technologists who will address both the practical challenges and emerging issues shaping the future of eDiscovery and legal technology. Whether you are new to eDiscovery or an experienced practitioner, the Arkfeld Conference offers valuable knowledge, tools and community connections to support your professional growth in the digital era

Kate Rosier: ‘Building the Next Generation of Rural Lawyers’ focus of podcast (LegalNews.com)
Ann Ching: Book Review: Modern Appeal (Arizona Attorney Magazine)
Douglas Sylvester: Regional AALS Workshop at UH Law Center Provides Future Legal Professors a Roadmap into Academia (University of Houston Law Center)
Ann Ching: Veterans Day ceremony at Fountain Park memorial (Fountain Hills Times Independent)
Dan Bodansky: Environmental, social contradictions abound as UN Climate Change Conference kicks off in Brazil (Big News Network)
Douglas Sylvester: Specialty Screening: A look at the copyright purchases behind showing films on campus (The State Press)
Traci Morris: NTU aims to be a leader in integrating AI into higher education (Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology)
Adam Chodorow: Review of Reviews: Redemption! Valuing Closely Held Companies After Connelly (Wealth Management)
ASU Law: Third Massachusetts Law School Offers Online JD Program (Law.com)
Derrick Beetso: Kalshi’s Prediction Contracts Spark Wide-Ranging Legal Battle (Bloomberg Tax)
Traci Morris: Tribal Digital Sovereignty: How Native Communities Are Powering Their Own Tech Future (Ford Foundation)
Robert Miller: Meeting Monday featuring Robert Miller (American Philosophical Society)
Jennifer Selin: House speaker’s refusal to seat Arizona representative is supported by history and law (The Conversation)
Diana Bowman: The governance evolution of nanotechnology from controversy to consensus (Nature Nanotechnology)

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ASU Law Talks is a recurring series of posts written by expert law faculty and staff with deep knowledge in legal education, empowering you to make informed decisions about your legal education journey.

Examination of Driver License Renewal Policies and Older Driver Crash and Injury Rates by Rurality by Cara Hamann, Jonathan Davis, Gilsu Pae, Motao Zhu, Gregory H. Shill, Brian Tefft and Joe Cavanaugh
Depictions of War Crimes in Film by Ann Ching
Dispelling Vaccine Legal Myths by James G. Hodge

Stay informed by exploring our scholars' contributions and subscribing to ASU Law’s SSRN eJournal for updates on the newest research.

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Law Annual Fund

Your generosity to the Law Annual Fund supports the current and most urgent needs of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. At the discretion of the dean, these gifts support new programs, additional externships and student scholarships. Your donation is critical to maintaining and enriching the Sandra Day O'Connor Law experience.

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