Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy in Conversation with David Rubenstein: Life, Law & Liberty

Over three decades on the US Supreme Court, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy shaped the law of the land on some of the most fiercely debated issues of our time. One of the most consequential jurists in modern history, his landmark opinions legalized gay marriage, protected political speech, abolished the death penalty for minors, and, in a nuanced ruling, upheld a woman’s right to choose. As the pivotal vote in closely divided cases, Kennedy earned the moniker “The Decider,” yet he has always insisted that his decisions were guided not by politics but by the Constitution’s enduring principles of justice and liberty.

Join us for the launch of Life, Law & Liberty, Kennedy’s memoir, to be released two days after this conversation. Offering insight into his life, work, and beliefs, the book traces his journey from a precocious child growing up in Sacramento to a Reagan appointee confirmed unanimously by the Senate, to a justice whose rulings often defied expectations. In his book, Kennedy reflects on the role of a judge, the independence of the judiciary, and the qualities of civility, decency, and ethics that are essential in public life.

On this special evening, Justice Kennedy will be in conversation with David Rubenstein to discuss the moments that define his career, the principles that guided his most important decisions, and the personal experiences — both challenging and inspiring — that shaped his view of the law. It is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the Court’s most influential voices at this historic moment.