Lasting Memories

Allen Steward Hammond IV
March 10, 1950-Jan. 11, 2026
Stanford, CA

Allen was a devoted husband and father who wore his love of his family on his sleeve, and he was a beloved and endowed Professor of Law at Santa Clara Law School. His scholarship focused on access and fairness in the media, priorities he pursued as the director of the Minority Telecommunications Development Program in President Carter’s Administration and as legal counsel in nonprofit and industry settings before joining academia. He transitioned peacefully, in his home, surrounded by family. Allen is survived by his wife of 49 years, Linda Darling-Hammond; their three children, Kia, Elena, and Sean; spouses Terrance Turner and Valentina Xavier; and grandchildren, Jared, Kofi, and Cyrus. The family encourages donations in Allen’s honor to the ACLU of Northern California, where he sat on the board of directors and advanced digital equity.