About

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy to Receive the Bruce K. Gould Book Award at Touro Law Center

Justice Kennedy to be Honored for His Memoir, “Life, Law & Liberty” on Thursday, November 12, 2026

August 31, 2026

Touro Law Center announced today that retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy will receive its distinguished Bruce K. Gould Book Award in recognition of his acclaimed memoir, Life, Law & Liberty, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Law Center in Central Islip, NY.

“We are deeply honored that Justice Kennedy has accepted this award and will join us to share his story and perspective with the Touro Law community,” stated Dean Elena Langan. “His memoir is a profound reflection on an inspiring career, offering readers rare insight into the legal system while serving as a vital reminder of what it means to live with optimism, decency, and a commitment to our democracy.”

Touro Law’s Bruce K. Gould Book Award is presented annually to the author of an outstanding publication focused on the law, the legal profession, or the justice system. Established by benefactor Bruce K. Gould (Touro Law Class of 1984), it has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious legal literary honors in the nation. Past recipients include Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

For 30 years, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy stood at the ideological center of a closely divided U.S. Supreme Court. Authoring landmark opinions in pivotal cases, he helped define and expand American jurisprudence—protecting political speech, upholding reproductive rights, abolishing the death penalty for minors, and securing marriage equality.

In Life, Law & Liberty, Justice Kennedy shares his life story, from personal heartbreak to extraordinary legal achievement, while reflecting on the nuanced role of a judge. A product of the American West, he became a deeply principled guardian of constitutional rights. As the last justice to be unanimously confirmed to the High Court, Justice Kennedy’s tenure illustrates the power of thoughtful, respectful discourse in fractious times.

“This visit represents an extraordinary opportunity for our students to engage with an eminent jurist,” added Dean Langan. “Justice Kennedy’s presence on campus will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of legal professionals.”

For additional information regarding the event, please contact Touro Law’s Office of Institutional Advancement at tlcevents@touro.edu or call (631) 761-7064.

XXX

Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center is located adjacent to both a state and a federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, has a campus in Manhattan. Touro Law’s proximity to the courthouses, coupled with programming developed to integrate the courtroom into the classroom, provide a one-of-a-kind learning experience for law students, combining a rigorous curriculum taught by expert faculty with a practical courtroom experience. Touro Law is dedicated to providing hands-on learning that enables students to gain experience while offering much-needed legal services in the community.

TOURO UNIVERSITY
Touro University is an international system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education chartered in 1970. Touro was founded primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage and to serve the larger American and global community. Over 21,000 students are currently enrolled at Touro University at over 38 schools in seven states and four countries: New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and Touro University Nevada; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois are separately accredited institutions within the Touro University system.


For more info contact:
Patti Desrochers 
Assistant Dean of Communications
pdesroch@touro.edu 
(631) 761-7062  

Request Information