Change the future with Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Creating a catalyst for progress
Law serves as a vital conduit for societal transformation and innovation.
At the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, we know that law is far more than a set of rules — it’s a critical catalyst to advancing our world for the better. From greenlighting new advancements in sustainability, healthcare and technology to driving social progress and championing equal opportunity, the law shapes every facet of our society.
When lawyers and law-trained professionals work for the common good, the law can safeguard innovators and consumers and protect vulnerable populations. That’s why ASU Law is committed to training change-makers — legal professionals who will use their expertise to address global challenges.
ASU Law is No. 1 in the nation for the most legal master’s graduates from 2019 to 2023, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
ASU Law believes prestige and access can co‑exist to educate its students and serve its communities.
ASU’s Charter motivates us to take responsibility for the communities we serve.
Shaping changemakers to address global challenges
The college is named after the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. “We take Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacy to heart here at the law school,” says Angela Banks, Vice Dean and Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law. “The way in which the law operates in society is shaped by lawyers in public service occupations. These lawyers impact the types of policies adopted and how laws get enforced in different aspects of society.”
Through Changing Futures®, ASU Law will break down barriers to access and innovation, advancing progress and justice in our communities. We will equip the next wave of legal minds to drive positive change and build a more just, sustainable future for all.
Driving solutions for a greener future
At the intersection of law and sustainability is a critical opportunity to reshape humanity’s relationship with our planet.
As technological innovation races ahead and climate challenges intensify, we face a critical gap between the rapid pace of industry changes and slower-moving regulations — a gap that can only be bridged through pioneering legal frameworks and policies.
“Scientists can develop innovative ways of producing products, for example, but if the laws don’t support their use or implementation, then those advancements don’t get very far,” says Banks. “Law provides the framework for thinking about whether or not different scientific advancements will get implemented and be successful.”
Climate change, water accessibility, green technology, renewable energy, sustainable plastic management: Creating a Center for Law and Sustainability will move groundbreaking environmental solutions from mere possibilities into practical realities. By bringing together the brightest minds from industry, academia and government, we’re not just creating a think tank — we’re building a launchpad for the legal innovations that will accelerate our transition to a sustainable future.
ASU Law nurtures a vibrant community through innovative legal research, scholarship and advocacy in environmental sustainability.
Addressing legal deserts and fostering inclusivity
Empowering the brightest minds to accelerate progress requires expanding access to historically underrepresented communities.
The Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is one of the most respected Indian law programs in the nation.
The state home to all four North American deserts faces another kind: a “legal desert.” Arizona ranks 49th in lawyers per capita, a shortage hitting rural and Native American communities hardest.
“There’s a crisis with the lack of representation. The Navajo Nation, for example, is facing a severe backlog of cases in the Navajo Supreme Court,” says Kate Rosier (Comanche), Assistant Dean, Community Engagement and Executive Director of Indian Legal Program. “As of April 2024, there were 25,000 pending cases. There is urgency of need.”
ASU Law’s new public service programs aim to fill these legal deserts. For over 35 years, the Indian Legal Program has supported Arizona’s 22 tribes through law.
Following ASU’s charter, we’re creating pathways for
Native American students via increased scholarships and partnering with Diné College and the Navajo Nation for the first tribally affiliated legal program.
“This marks a milestone in reimagining legal education,” said Stacy Leeds (Cherokee), Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor of Law. “A top public law school, working collaboratively with a tribal college and an Indigenous nation, to empower the next generation of advocates, lawyers, leaders and legal scholars, by centering tribal-specific laws and sovereignty.”
We’re nurturing tribal advocates who will protect Indigenous rights and bridge the justice gap. Native American voices won’t just be heard in the legal system—they’ll help lead it.
Academy for Justice: HELP in Addressing Homelessness
The Academy for Justice bridges the gap between academia and on-the-ground criminal justice reform, making actionable research accessible to all.
Despite ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Arizona, service gaps limit access to stable housing, and those experiencing homelessness have complex needs, including medical, social and legal issues, that are not often addressed by single service providers.
To address this, the Academy for Justice built a collaborative network of public and private organizations to address homelessness more comprehensively. The Homeless Engagement and Legal Protection (HELP) initiative is an interdisciplinary program to address service gaps by bringing together attorneys, social workers and medical professionals to provide holistic care to unhoused persons in Phoenix.
Supporting the HELP initiative is an investment in dignity, justice and the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to get the help they need and have a place to call home.
The Academy for Justice recognizes that criminal justice reform is complicated and controversial, yet a vital component to a more just society.
Support ASU Law to change futures and drive progress
By supporting Changing Futures, you can empower ASU Law to accelerate access to and innovation in the field of law — ultimately propelling societal progress. Join us in changing futures.
ASU Law graduates go on to serve their communities in a variety of fields, from business and corporate law to advancing democracy and sustainability.
Change futures by supporting
Transform
education Reshape our relationship with the planet
Despite the growing importance of Indigenous legal representation, Native Americans remain significantly underrepresented in the legal profession, facing barriers such as prohibitive education costs and limited access to legal resources in their communities. Through our focused work, we will expand the long-respected Indian Legal Program by increasing scholarship support, developing innovative initiatives like the Navajo Nation law school and providing global learning experiences. By partnering with tribal communities, we’ll foster a new generation of Indigenous legal leaders and address the legal representation crisis in Native communities.
Empower community resilience
Social inequality, economic disparity and racism pose a significant challenge to American society. As part of our Advancing Democracy area of expertise, innovative centers like the Academy for Justice are bridging the gap between academia and on-the-ground change. Through interdisciplinary education, research and community engagement, we’re fostering a more inclusive society where all voices are heard, rights are protected and collective decision‑making reflects the needs and aspirations of all citizens.
The rapid advancement of technology has improved lives but also led to unsustainable environmental practices, creating a pressing need for innovative legal solutions in sustainability. Creating a Center for Law and Sustainability that partners with the Global Futures Laboratory will enable ASU to accelerate the transition to a more environmentally sustainable society by navigating and advancing legal and policy changes while also overcoming regulatory obstacles. We’ll bring together experts, students and industry leaders to develop comprehensive solutions, shape policies and prepare future leaders who can navigate the complex intersection of law, environment and sustainable development.
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Inspire tomorrow’s game changers
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacy of upholding judicial ethics and the rule of law has profoundly shaped the American legal system, yet there is a pressing need to ensure these principles continue to guide future generations of legal professionals. Through our initiative to establish the first‑ever Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Chair in Judicial Ethics and Rule of Law, we will foster innovative research, interdisciplinary scholarship and public engagement — ultimately advancing Justice O’Connor’s enduring commitment to justice, equality and civic engagement in the legal profession and society at large.
Build the future of health
For 15 years, the Center for Public Health Law and Policy has been at the forefront of emerging global and domestic issues in public health law, policy and ethics. Through our Legal Frameworks for Public Health, Wellness and Medical Innovations: Improving Health Outcomes in the 21st Century initiative, we will expand our key areas of focus to include health equity, tribal health and legal profession wellness and prepare future leaders who can navigate the dynamic landscape of health law and policy.
Advance technology for good
ASU Law embraces and leads innovation. It was the first law school to embrace generative AI in admissions and an AI-integrated curriculum, preparing students for the future of legal practice. For over 30 years, the Center for Law, Science and Innovation (LSI) has been using law and policy to enable innovation for the betterment of society. In the new era of technology and artificial intelligence, LSI will foster collaboration between innovators, policymakers, regulatory bodies and consumers to create a digital landscape that benefits all and upholds the principles of ethical and equitable technology use.
About us
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is dedicated to creating the next generation of lawyers and industry leaders. Honoring the legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and charged with upholding her namesake, our graduates are well-prepared to shape all aspects of the legal field from public service to private practice, to fields that work in and around the law.
ASU Charter
ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.