Thomas W. Porter, Jr.
Lecturer
J.D. Boston University
M.Div. Union Theological Seminary
B.A. Yale University
Thomas W. Porter, Jr. is a trial lawyer, mediator, teacher and minister. He teaches at Boston University School of Theology where he directs a concentration in Religion and Conflict Transformation. He is the Co-Executive Director of JUSTPEACE Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation in The United Methodist Church. He recently edited the book, Conflict and Communion: Reconciliation and Restorative Justice at Christ’s Table. He has produced the first draft of a book entitled Engaging Conflict Well: the Soul and Art of Conflict Transformation, which will be a text for the course.
After graduating from Yale University, he received a M. Div. degree from Union Theological Seminary and a J.D. degree from Boston University Law School. He studied mediation at Harvard Law School and Eastern Mennonite University.
He was a founding partner of the trial firm of Melick & Porter LLP in 1983 and has been a trial lawyer since 1974, representing religious institutions, universities, hospitals, professionals, nonprofit organizations and others. He is a member of the board of the Journal of Law and Religion and was chair of the board from 1989 through 2001. He was a founder and the president of the Council of Religion and Law, a society of law professors, theologians, lawyers and ministers, from 1978 to 1985. He was a member of the board of Union Theological Seminary, chairing its educational policy committee, from 1992 to 2001.