Lecture Series at BU Law

Congresswoman Barbara Jordan Speaker Series On Race, Law, & Inequality

Despite the laudable ideals expressed by this nation’s founders, US law has routinely been written, enacted, and interpreted by those in power in ways that reinforce, rather than dismantle, racial inequality. In this sense, law has become one part of the structures in which racism is embedded. This structural racism touches upon every area of the law, and nearly 250 years into this democratic experiment that is the United States, people of color have still not gained full and equal membership in US society.

In this new speaker series, we invite leading scholars to examine the intersection between race, inequality, and the law; to reveal how US law, as it is currently written and interpreted, falls short of the ideals on which this country was founded; and to offer their insights on how we may pursue fundamental change in our system of laws that will finally deliver on the promise of equity and justice for all.

The endowment of the Barbara Jordan Speaker Series is made possible through a generous gift from Gary Tischler, a graduate of our Class of 1987.


 

The Kleh International Law Lecture Series

Established in 2011 as part of the William & Patricia Kleh Visiting Professorship. The Kleh lecture is delivered by the Kleh Visiting Professor, who teaches one or more courses during their semester visiting BU Law. The Professorship and Lecture is made possibly by the generosity of William Kleh (’71) and his wife Patty.

 

The Annual Pike Lecture

BU School of Law holds the annual Pike Lecture, which honors Mr. N. Neal Pike, a 1937 graduate of BU Law who was a distinguished lawyer and a lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Pike suffered an illness as a child that left him permanently blind. He was educated at the Perkins Institution for the Blind before entering BU Law in 1934. He was admitted to the Federal Bar to practice law in the U.S. District Court for the district of Massachusetts, and he practiced for 45 years. He was the first blind person to be admitted to practice before the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.


 

Max M. Shapiro Lecture Series

Max M. Shapiro graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1933 and quickly made a name for himself as an outstanding trial lawyer, practicing in New London, Connecticut. A recognized leader of the profession, he was chosen by his peers to serve as president of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. Throughout his 60 year legal career, he embraced the role of mentor, inspiring younger attorney’s through the strength of his character. Max Shapiro never stopped thinking about a lawyer’s duty and he never stopped caring about Boston University School of Law. When Mr. Shapiro died, his son, Andrew Shapiro (‘77), his daughter, Suellen Kadis and his son-in-law, Larry Kadis, established a fund for an annual lecture in their father’s name at the School. The Max M. Shapiro Lecture is a fitting tribute to the memory of a lawyer who was devoted to examining the place of legal ethics in trial advocacy.


 

Robert Volk Lecture Series

Established in 2023, the Robert Volk Lecture Series serves as a recognition of Robert Volk (‘78), who taught legal writing and led Lawyering and Advocacy Programs for more than 40 years at the BU School of Law.

 

Annual Distinguished Lecture Series

Each year, a noted legal scholar presents a timely lecture at Boston University School of Law. The Boston University Law Review then publishes the Annual Distinguished Lecturer’s presentation.