The LENS - September 2026
September has been a meaningful month at ASU Law as we celebrate student success, strengthen our connections to the communities we serve and look ahead to what’s next in legal education. This month, we announced a new Medical Legal Partnership with Phoenix Children’s, continued conversations around technology and innovation, and marked Sandra Day O’Connor Day as we celebrate 20 years as the law school that bears her name. As we reflect on Justice O’Connor’s vision for ASU Law to become “a beacon among state university law schools,” I’m proud to see that legacy carried forward through the work of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Thank you for being part of our community, and welcome to the September edition of The LENS.
Angela M. Banks
Interim Dean and Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
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ASU Law graduates Andy Simmerman (JD ’26) and Bobby Corridan (JD ’26) made their mark on the July 2026 Arizona bar exam, earning the highest and third-highest scores statewide, respectively! 🎉 See the post
ASU Law Intellectual Property experts and students partner with LAIPLA for the 12th annual TechTainment™ 2026, a cutting-edge conference focusing on the dynamic intersection of technology, entertainment and law.
Sandra Day O’Connor Day
Twenty years ago, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor shared her vision for ASU Law as the college took her name: to become “a beacon among state university law schools throughout this country.”
On Sandra Day O’Connor Day, Sept. 25, her legacy of leadership, public service and commitment to the rule of law continues to guide us as we mark 20 years as the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Beus Center for Law and Society, Room 544
CLE credit available
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Beus Center for Law and Society, W. P. Carey Armstrong Great Hall
Faculty in the news
- KTAR News: Chandler launches free mediation program to resolve neighborhood disputes outside court (Lodestar Mediation Clinic)
- Public News Service: Arizona's new lawyers incorporate AI in legal field (Sean Harrington)
- Oklahoma Watch: “Delay Usually Favors the Defense”: What’s Really Taking So Long in the Epic Charter Case (Tracy Pearl)
- AZ Central: Who is behind those 'Democrats for Biggs' signs? (Gregg Leslie)
- CIDRAP - Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy: As SCOTUS rejects emergency appeal for religious exemption to vaccines, thorny First Amendment issues persist (James Hodge)
- Arizona Attorney: September 2026 Issue - Updates from ASU Law School (ASU Law and Angela M. Banks)
- KJZZ: Chandler offering free mediation program for neighborly disputes (ASU Law Lodestar Dispute Resolution Program)
- Idle Chat with Natalie Armstrong-Motin: Larry Bridgesmith Idle Chat for the ABA Section for Dispute Resolution (Larry Bridgesmith)
- The National Jurist: LL.M. Honor Roll: Law schools are expanding LL.M. offerings (ASU Law and Amy Best)
- True Journalism: When a Machine Acts Who Answers With Larry Bridgesmith (Larry Bridgesmith)
- Arizona Supreme Court: Retired Court of Appeals Judge Samuel A. Thumma to Lead Arizona Supreme Court Center for Forensics and Artificial Intelligence (Samuel A. Thumma)
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.
- Reimagining Property Doctrines to Incorporate the Interests of the More-than-human World by Jessica Owley and Karen Bradshaw
- Bankruptcy's Guardian Gaps by Laura Coordes
- Destroying the Doctrine of Discovery by Robert J. Miller
- Electricity Zoning by Troy A. Rule
- The Hard Law-Soft Law Nexus: Autonomous Vehicles as a Case The Hard Law-Soft Law Nexus: Autonomous Vehicles as a Case Study Study by Gary E. Marchant, Chase Martins and Vrinda Gupta
- Discounting Discrimination: Title VII's Damage Caps by Michael Selmi
- Managing an American Predator: Wildlife Law and the Mountain Lion by Andrew Carter
Stay informed by exploring our scholars' contributions and subscribing to ASU Law’s SSRN eJournal for updates on the newest research.
Can yoga and Pilates help you live longer?
In a recent study, ASU Associate Professor Connor Sheehan and other researchers found that of 21 alternative health practices, only yoga and Pilates were associated with a significant decrease in the risk of death. Sheehan says the two activities offer not just exercise, but also improve balance, emphasize stress management and offer a social component — all key contributors to longevity.
Changing Futures: Sandra Day O' Connor College of Law Scholarship Fund
Consider supporting the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Scholarship Fund and making an impact on the lives of talented students. By easing the financial burden of law school, your generosity allows students to focus on their education, pursue meaningful experiences and prepare to become the next generation of legal leaders.