SAN FRANCISCO — Munger Tolles & Olson partner Michelle Friedland brought a ringer to her Ninth Circuit confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Joining her before the Senate Judiciary Committee were friends, family—and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

“It’s a privilege to have you here with us,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), the acting committee chair, told O’Connor at the outset of the hearing.