Law Prof Praises Stevens’ Legacy

Sam Erman, a professor of law at USC Gould School of Law, reminisces in The Hill about the late Justice John Paul Stevens, whom he served as law clerk. He calls Stevens a man whose sincere humility animated fierce commitments to justice, fairness, and the judicial role. He summarizes Stevens’ judicial philosophy: The just result is a fair result, which requires seeking to understand all perspectives rather than relying on preconceptions. It is hard work, which it should be given a judge’s tremendous responsibility. If done right, the result is one that all sides may regard as just. According to Erman, the Justice’s father’s embezzlement conviction, which was said to be politically motivated and was subsequently overturned on appeal, served as a lifelong reminder to Stevens of the importance of judges who decide cases based on careful attention to the facts and law. In a speech early in his retirement he addressed the controversial question of whether a mosque should be located near where the Twin Towers once stood. He said he didn’t like the idea when he first heard about it and speculated that New Yorkers might have a similar hostile reaction. But upon reflection, they might also realize that U.S. Muslims could have as much — if not more — reason to oppose violent Islamic extremists. The lesson he drew: “Beware of stereotypical conclusions about groups of people that we don’t know very well.”