This year, as we commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the importance of robust legal institutions has never been more apparent. One needs only to look at the front pages of daily newspapers. From the Constitution that provides the foundation of our democracy to the challenges facing local governments and trial courts, institutions are being examined and re-examined. The foundational and applied research at Stanford Law is providing critical insights to inform the discourse not only in our country but across the world.

This issue’s feature, “The Guardrails of Democracy,” highlights research at the Neukom Center for the Rule of Law and its engagement with scholars and members of the judiciary from many jurisdictions. As the center’s benefactor, the late Bill Neukom, LLB ’67, aptly put it, “Fundamental to an equitable world, the rule of law is the very foundation of communities of justice, opportunity, and peace.” The feature describes the Neukom Center’s influential work, led by its faculty director, Professor Diego Zambrano, in tackling the challenges of sustaining the rule of law in established democracies and rebuilding it—in some cases after years of corruption. The companion feature in this issue, “Researchers Take On Policy Sludge,” looks at the work that Professor Daniel Ho and his team at RegLab are doing to pair technology and legal expertise to clear out legislative clutter and make state and local governments operate more efficiently.

This issue’s Q&A turns to a core law school mission: helping our students to realize their career aspirations. I had the pleasure of interviewing Associate Dean Susan Robinson shortly before her retirement after nearly 30 years of extraordinary service at Stanford Law. With deep expertise and dedication, Susan led a remarkably effective Office of Career Services, guided a generation of law school students through the legal market, and brought countless alumni back to campus to mentor current students in return.

We also highlight the dynamic paths of Ed Policy, president of Wisconsin’s Green Bay Packers, and Lin-Hua Wu, chief communications officer at General Motors, both of whom have drawn on their legal training to build exceptional careers outside of traditional legal practice. And we learn about new scholarship from Professors George Fisher, Nate Persily, and Diego Zambrano, and we welcome Professor Albert Choi to the faculty.

And there’s much more. I hope you’ll read on. SL