Stanton D. Anderson: 1941 – 01/12/2025

Stanton D. Anderson, age 84, passed away on Sunday, January 12, at his home in Santa Barbara. Stan was a proud graduate of Westmont College (Class of 1962), where he was a star basketball player, setting scoring records and earning the distinction of Small College All-American. He went on to earn his law degree from Willamette University, where he was a member of the Law Review.

An avid golfer and lifelong learner, Stan had a distinguished career spanning law, politics, and business. His involvement in national political affairs began in 1972, and he played key roles in managing several Republican conventions. Notably, he served as Counsel to the Reagan-Bush Campaign in 1980 and held a senior position in the Presidential Transition of that year. His career also included time in the White House during the Nixon and Ford administrations, along with senior roles in the State Department under Henry Kissinger.

Stan was honored with several Presidential appointments, including serving on the President’s Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations and the Presidential Commission on Personnel Interchange. He chaired the U.S. delegation to the 1981 United Nations conference on New and Renewable Energy Resources.

In 1981, Stan, along with three law partners, founded Anderson, Hibey, Nauheim & Blair, a prestigious firm specializing in corporate law and international trade. He later joined McDermott, Will & Emery in 1995, where he became a key figure, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There, he played a pivotal role in legal reform efforts, including chairing the successful initiative to pass class-action reform legislation. Stan also oversaw the National Chamber Litigation Center, the Institute for Legal Reform, and the Chamber’s Office of General Counsel.

In addition to his legal career, Stan was Chairman of Global USA, Inc., a consulting firm he founded in 1982, and served on the Board of Directors for several public companies, including Physicians Realty Trust, CBRE, and Aegis Communications Group, where he also chaired their Audit Committees.

Stan is survived by his son, Stanton D. Anderson, Jr. (Tad); his daughter, Mimi Anderson; and his grandson, Conor Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lloyd T. and Marion Anderson.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Norma Lou DePoy, his dedicated administrative assistant of 36 years, his caregivers, and VNA Hospice Care. Special thanks also go to his lifelong Westmont classmates and dear friends, Dave and Anna Grotenhuis and Sharol and Wayne Siemens, for their unwavering support.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Stan Anderson Scholarship for Women’s Basketball at Westmont.