Chief Justice Rehnquist returns to the UA to teach law course

Ryan Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat Chief Justice of the United States William Rehnquist is teaching a two week, one-unit course in court history. Rehnquist practiced law in Phoenix for 16 years before being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Making his fourth-annual trip to the University of Arizona to teach a two week, one-unit course in court history, Rehnquist will be lecturing to about 120 students, said Kay Kavanagh, associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Law.

She said the course, "The Supreme Court in the History of the United States," covers the development of the U.S. Supreme Court as an institution within the context of historical development.

Rehnquist, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1972 by President Nixon and became chief justice in 1986, practiced law in Phoenix for 16 years and said he enjoys visiting Tucson and teaching a classroom of students.

"I think it is a great opportunity to be here," Rehnquist said. "And the weather is wonderful."

Kavanagh said Rehnquist began visiting the UA four years ago while Tom Sullivan, the former dean for the College of Law, was still at the UA.

She said Rehnquist agreed to come to the UA and teach the class after Sullivan spoke to him.

"He (Rehnquist) has ties to Arizona, and has been a guest speaker many times at the College of Law," Kavanagh said.

"The students have a unique opportunity to learn from Justice Rehnquist, who himself leads the institution right now," Kavanagh said.

"He really has a unique perspective."

Students taking Rehnquist's class agreed with Kavanagh, feeling very fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to the chief justice.

Third-year law student Robert Mayer said, "It's really interesting listening to the words of someone who participated in so many decisions."

Mayer said one of his goals when he came to UA was to hear Rehnquist speak.

Other students shared Mayer's views.

"There aren't very many law students in the country who get to hear him speak," said Debra Gordon, a second-year law student.

Joel Seligman, dean of the College of Law, said Supreme Court justices regularly speak and teach classes at universities. Rehnquist has agreed to teach the class for two weeks, which is longer than many justices lecture.

"He is a very talented historian," Seligman said. "Being a historian myself, it is a pleasure for him to be here."

In past years, Rehnquist's UA visits prompted protesters who disagreed with his conservative rulings on issues such as abortion.

Seligman said the protesting occurred during the first two years Rehnquist visited.

"The protesting, however, was not enough to discourage him (Rehnquist) from coming back," Seligman said.

He also said there has been no protesting thus far this semester.