Remembering Adam Kiracofe
Adam Kiracofe served as Editor-in-Chief of the Boston University Law Review from 2003-2004. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2004, Adam clerked for Justice Jerry Larson of the Supreme Court of Iowa and then practiced trust and estate law at Quarles & Brady and Hinckley Allen.
On November 9, 2018, Adam passed away at home after battling brain cancer for twelve years. In remembrance of Adam and in recognition of the contribution he made to the Law Review, we share these messages from his friends, professors, and colleagues and offer our deepest condolences to his children Riley and Jameson, his wife Jaclyn, and the rest of his family and loved ones.
Sincerely,
2018-2019 Boston University Law Review Editorial Board and Staff
Guestbook
Adam had a bright, independent mind, and a character of pure gold. He was fearless, honest and he brought wisdom and humor to his work on the Law Review. I was so lucky to have him as a friend, and I will miss him forever.
Christopher P. Coval, Boston University School of Law ’04
Adam stood out in law school, and on Law Review, because he was kind, unflappable, generous, and not-at-all-a-jerk about being one of the smartest people in any given room – pretty much the ideal Editor-in-Chief. My lasting memories of him all involve how calm he was. Whatever the issue, he took it in stride. Once, when we were 3Ls, I let a hair-stylist convince me to dye my eyebrows a deep, purply red. By the time I got back to the Law Review office, I was full of regret and anxiety. Adam didn’t even tease me about it, though I wouldn’t have blamed him – he just handed me a beer from the Law Review fridge and spent the next half hour commiserating. He was a great EIC, of course, but an even better friend.
Rebecca Ginzburg, Boston University School of Law ’04
I only knew Adam during my three years at BUSL, but he was not only brilliant, but genuinely kind. The law community has lost a great legal mind and a great human being.
Heather (Ambrose) Trkovsky, Boston University School of Law ’04
Adam was one of my best students, an excellent research assistant, and just a lovely person. He and I did not really keep in touch after he graduated, but I would think of him fondly now and then, especially when encountering one of his old research memos for me. So the news of his passing came as a completely unexpected punch in the gut. My deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him.
Gerry Leonard, Professor at Boston University School of Law
In 2003, I had the privilege of passing the Boston University Law Review reins to Adam. He was smart, funny, and kind — hallmarks of a great leader. When I close my eyes, I can still see Adam smiling in the Law Review’s former basement offices, next to Tim Perla, Todd Crawford, and A.J. Picchione (among others). As I turn to close the door for the last time, I know we are leaving the Law Review in the right hands. Although we spoke a few times after I graduated, I missed Adam after I left law school. I miss him even more now. Adam, you continue to inspire me.
Nicholas S. Shantar, Editor-in-Chief, Boston University Law Review, 2002-2003
Everyone in our class knew Adam. He had the biggest brain and the biggest heart.
Zoë Davidson, Boston University School of Law ’04
I remember Adam quite well. He was a brilliant student, and a natural leader, so it was no surprise when he became the Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. But what I remember most about him was his good cheer and exceptional sense of humor. I don’t know if was his Midwestern roots or something else, but I remember him always having a smile on his face, which is no mean feat for any law student. He will be greatly missed.
Jay Wexler, Professor at Boston University School of Law
Adam Kiracofe was one of my favorite students: Highly intelligent, outspoken and ready for an “intellectual fight” anytime. In addition to his intellectual skills, Adam had a wonderful sense of humor which often surfaced during class debates. I remember that Adam sat in the middle of the classroom in my Constitutional Law course. It was hard not to notice him. Tall and always smiling. Adam was always prepared to discuss the assigned materials. More importantly, Adam seemed to genuinely enjoy learning and debating the issues we confronted. He always stated his views forcibly and with cogent remarks, but he was never rude to the professor or his classmates. I know that many of his classmates loved him because they told me so.
Adam was an asset to Boston University School of Law as a student and alumnus. I would love to teach a class with one hundred students like Adam Kiracofe. It was a pleasure and honor to have him as a student.
Tracey Maclin, Professor at Boston University School of Law
I ran for Editor-in-Chief of Law Review and, after several rounds of votes, it was down to me and Adam. Adam, of course, won. After the vote, and after I had shed some tears, I saw Adam in the hallway. He said he was sorry – he apologized for winning. The thing is – I don’t think we had ever spoken before that day. Adam was the type of person who apologized to what amounted to a stranger for winning something he undoubtedly deserved. I told him it was ok, but that I might need to break his knee caps. He was confused, possibly a little frightened, and then laughed. We became friends. We discussed proper punctuation. We lamented the lack of footnotes in articles. Later, we shared stories about our kids and our lives. He was kind, good-hearted, and had a great sense of humor. He won’t be forgotten and he will forever be missed.
Loly Garcia Tor, Boston University School of Law ’04
Although I did not know Mr Kiracofe, any loss to the BU community is one we all feel. I offer my condolences to his friends, family, classmates and colleagues.
Wendy J. Gordon, Professor at Boston University School of Law
I was very sorry to hear about Adam’s passing. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.
Matt McLaughlin, Boston University School of Law ’04
Adam was the model law school student. In criminal procedure class, the professor set up debates between students with opposing 4th Amendment views. Adam was terrific at summarizing competing law enforcement and criminal defendant arguments, taking a side, and getting other members of the class on board with his side. He added a lot to the class, which the professor recognized by calling on him regularly. Whether discussing football (especially the Packers), politics, or legal concepts, Adam was invariably cheerful and he possessed a great sense of humor. He was a pleasure to be around in and out of class. Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Jeff Reed, Boston University School of Law ’04
I met Adam during our second year of law school. We were in different sections during first year, but we had each been selected for membership on the law review (Adam, by a comfortable margin, I would imagine and me by the skin of my teeth). Although we probably spent quite a bit of time together in the Annex that year checking citations, the tasks assigned to a law review grunt aren’t collaborative exercise, so I didn’t really get to know Adam until the end of the year when he decided to run to be the editor-in-chief of the law review. I was, in all honesty, shocked that anyone would want to be the editor-in-chief. Don’t get me wrong, serving on the law review is an honor, but it is a tedious, miserable honor and there was no role that was more tedious or seemed more miserable than that of editor-in-chief. But here was this guy, who until this point, I really only knew as the tall Midwestern guy on law review, asking to be elected to a one year term of agony as our editor-in-chief. By contrast, I ran for the position of Administrative Editor. The toughest task assigned to the Administrative Editor was making sure that the office kitchen was stocked with bagels on Fridays. It was clear to me that Adam and I were very different people. Read full tribute.
AJ Picchione, Boston University School of Law ’04