LMU Loyola Law School will welcome the Hon. Anthony D. Johnstone as the keynote speaker for the 2026 commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17.
Judge Johnstone serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit — one of the nation’s most influential federal appellate courts — where he helps decide cases shaping the law across nine western states and two U.S. territories. Known for his intellectual rigor, balanced judicial temperament, and commitment to the rule of law, Johnstone was confirmed to the bench in 2023, bringing with him a distinguished record of public service, legal scholarship, and appellate advocacy.
Prior to his appointment, Johnstone served as Montana’s Solicitor General, where he represented the state in high-stakes appellate litigation and argued cases before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Earlier in his career, he was a professor at the University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law, where he taught constitutional law, legislation, and administrative law, earning respect for his rigorous and deeply engaged approach to legal education. He also clerked for Judge Sidney R. Thomas of the Ninth Circuit, an experience that helped shape his understanding of appellate advocacy and judicial decision-making.
Since joining the Ninth Circuit, Johnstone has participated in cases involving nationally significant questions surrounding immigration policy, constitutional authority, free speech, consumer rights, and major industries shaping everyday American life. His work on the bench has reflected the wide-ranging and consequential docket of the nation’s largest federal appellate court.
Throughout his career, Johnstone has been recognized for his leadership, public service, and dedication to legal education. Colleagues and former students alike have described him as a respected scholar, mentor, and advocate whose work bridges the classroom, the courtroom, and the broader public sphere.
LMU Loyola Law School will celebrate 427 graduates during its commencement ceremony on May 17. The ceremony will take place at Sunken Garden on the LMU Westchester campus and will also be livestreamed.
More information is available at www.lmu.edu/commencement/events/lls/.