Liberal Opinions: My Life in the Stream of History

Placeholder author icon
By William A. Norris ’51

Published Sept. 6, 2017

William A. Norris ’51 was a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals who wrote the judicial opinion striking down the ban on homosexuals in the military two decades before the Supreme Court did so. He was a trailblazing lawyer and judge and published a memoir of his life, Liberal Opinions (Quid Pro Books), before his death earlier this year.

Paw in print

Image
The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
The Latest Issue

February 2026

Lives Lived & Lost in 2025, Saying ’yes’ to more housing; AI startup stars