Anthony Kennedy
The son of a former San Francisco dock worker, Anthony McLeod Kennedy grew up in Sacramento. Over the years, his father built a successful career for himself as a lawyer and lobbyist through sheer determination and hard work. As a child, Anthony Kennedy took pleasure in following his father on his business trips and as a result, he developed an interest for the government and public service.
Later on in his life, Anthony Kennedy found himself graduating from two of the country’s most prestigious schools, Stanford University and Harvard Law School. After the completion of his studies in law, Anthony Kennedy worked with a law firm in San Francisco.
Aside from his law practice, Anthony Kennedy also pursued his interest in legal education. For more than 20 years, he served as a constitutional law professor at the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.
After his father’s death, Anthony Kennedy went back to Sacramento to supervise his father’s firm. Later on, his expertise and skills caught the attention of then-Governor Ronald Reagan. He was then recommended by the governor to President Gerald Ford to take the vacant seat at the United States Court of Appeals. In 1975, Anthony Kennedy was appointed by President Ford to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. At 38, he became the youngest judge to serve in the country’s federal appeals.
In line with his duties as a federal judge, Anthony Kennedy served on the Advisory Committee on Codes of Conduct under the United States Judicial Conference from 1979 all the way until 1987. In addition to this, he also chaired the Committee on Pacific Territories for eight years, from 1982 to 1990.
On February 18, 1988, Anthony Kennedy received his appointment and took over the position of Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Today, aside from his legal duties, Justice Anthony Kennedy continues to bring a remarkable chain of educational activities.