Justice Anthony Kennedy
The Thomas A. Saunders Memorial Lecture
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is a distinguished American jurist and legal thinker who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1988 to 2018. Nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed unanimously by the Senate, Justice Kennedy became a pivotal voice on the Court, often casting the deciding vote in closely contested cases that shaped the nation’s legal and social landscape.
Born in Sacramento, California, Justice Kennedy earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. After returning to Sacramento to take over his late father’s law practice, he began a path of public service that led to his appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by President Ford in 1975.
Over his three decades on the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy developed a reputation for his independent jurisprudence, particularly in areas involving individual rights, liberty, and the balance of governmental powers. Following Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s retirement in 2006, Kennedy became the Court’s critical swing vote, playing a central role in landmark rulings on issues such as same-sex marriage, campaign finance, and the death penalty. Justice Kennedy remains a significant figure in American constitutional history.
The Thomas A. Saunders Memorial Lecture
Thomas A. Saunders III was a brilliant banker with Morgan Stanley whose legacy and innovations are still evident in today’s equity markets. He was filled with boundless courage, an inspired negotiator, passionate patriot, proud Virginian, wise friend, generous and loyal philanthropist, a delightful raconteur, proud father and grandfather of his beloved children and grandchildren, a wonderful husband to Jordan and legendary for his good humor and southern charm.