About the O'Connor Justice Prize
Recognizing exemplary leadership in rule of law initiatives and honoring Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacy
Justice O’Connor has long championed the rule of law and the importance of an independent judiciary. Since retiring from the Supreme Court in 2006, she has expanded her advocacy globally, visiting new nation-states, promoting judicial independence, and supporting social justice. She has worked to increase women’s participation in the judiciary in the Middle East, notably leading the U.S. delegation to Bahrain’s Arab Judicial Reform Conference in 2003, soon after the country adopted universal suffrage.
As a special advisor to the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative, she has helped expand its work to about 60 countries across four continents. She also emphasizes rule of law education in U.S. and international law schools, urging them to engage students in meaningful activities that advance these principles.
In 2014, the O’Connor Justice Prize was established by a group led by the Honorable Ruth McGregor, one of her former clerks, to honor her tireless dedication to the rule of law.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, was the first woman on the country’s highest court, serving from 1981 until her retirement in 2006. Justice O’Connor has devoted her life to public service and has been actively involved in promoting the rule of law and judicial independence around the world. She was the founder and chairperson of iCivics, Inc., an organization that promotes civics education and encourages students to become active citizens through a wide array of free, interactive games and activities. Justice O’Connor was also Honorary Chair of the O’Connor Judicial Selection Advisory Committee, part of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, which is dedicated to advancing the selection of impartial, qualified judges. The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor passed away on December 1, 2023. Explore O’Connor’s life and legacy on the ASU Law website.
The Prize
Numerous awards from a variety of organizations across the country bear the Justice’s name. However, the O’Connor Justice Prize is the only one that recognizes her overarching efforts on behalf of judicial independence, global rule of law, and international human rights.
When defining the essence of the O’Connor Justice Prize, an advisory board composed of judges, attorneys, ambassadors, and scholars worked to capture these aspects of Justice O’Connor’s work by honoring those who reflect her ideals.
Thus, the O’Connor Justice Prize not only honors Justice O’Connor’s enduring legacy, but also raises awareness of rule of law initiatives and recognizes people who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing the rule of law, justice, and human rights.
The Event
Winners of the O’Connor Justice Prize receive a $40,000 cash award in recognition of and to further their work in advancing the rule of law. The winners are honored at the O’Connor Justice Prize Dinner, a formal event held in the Phoenix-metro area.
The event draws nationally and globally known jurists, legal scholars, ambassadors, and philanthropists. Numerous judges on federal and state benches, many of whom served as clerks for Justice O’Connor, have also attended. The Honorable Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State, recorded a videotaped greeting for the 2016 O’Connor Justice Prize Dinner.
Your Contribution
Since its inception, the O’Connor Justice Prize, including the cash award and formal event, has been funded entirely through the generosity of members of the O’Connor Justice Prize Advisory Board.
In order to secure the viability of the prize going forward, the Board seeks patrons who share Justice O’Connor’s commitment to promoting the rule of law around the world. We hope you will consider joining us to help establish the O’Connor Justice Prize as an enduring symbol of that shared commitment.