According to Judge Michael Rhoads ’06, the rule of law means that the law applies uniformly to everyone, it must be accessible to all, and must be applied impartially.
Rhoads spoke about the role of courts in safeguarding the rule of law during his keynote speech, the latest event in the 2025 Eric Hanson Alumni Speaker Series hosted by the Santa Clara political science department.
Appointed to the San Francisco Superior Court by Gov. Gavin Newsom ’89, Rhoads holds degrees from SCU in political science, philosophy, and English. After earning his J.D. from George Washington University Law School, Rhoads worked in the offices of California Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and more.
