Sandra Day O'Connor on Government Reform

Supreme Court Justice (nominated by Pres. Reagan 1981)

Ethical restraints on advertising by lawyers

In her dissenting opinion on the case of Shapero v. Kentucky Bar Association, Justice O'Connor penned this dissenting opinion, which records her philosophy on professional ethics. Her point is worth noting:

"One distinguishing feature of any profession is that membership in that profession entails an ethical obligation to temper one's selfish pursuit of economic success by adhering to standards of conduct that could not be enforced either by legal fiat or through the discipline of the market. Both the special privileges incident to membership in the profession, and the advantages those privileges give in the necessary task of earning a living, are the means to a goal that transcends the accumulation of wealth. That goal is public service."

This case removed the ethical constraints on commercial advertising by lawyers. Source: NSPE.org comments on lawyer advertisement ruling Jul 2, 2005

Limit federal courts on state powers

The nine court members can be divided into three general alliances, but all of the justices have crossed ideological lines. The three conservative justices and two of the swing justices, including O’Connor, usually support states’ rights.

O’Connor sides with the conservative wing on limiting intrusions by federal courts on state powers. She also has a role as the centrist coalition builder.

Source: Reuters article in Boston Globe, p. A45 Dec 1, 2000

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Page last updated: 3/27/2008