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.

Upcoming Events

Friday, February 26th, 2027 
12:45 – 2:00pm
Boston University School of Law, Barristers Hall
Kendall Thomas, Nash Professor of Law, Columbia Law School

Monday, April 12th, 2027 
12:45 – 2:00pm
Boston University School of Law, Barristers Hall
Dorothy E. Roberts, George A. Weiss University Professor of Africana Studies, Law & Sociology, University of Pennsylvania 


 

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 possible by the generosity of William Kleh (’71) and his wife Patty.

Fall 2026 Kleh Lecture 

Monday, November 16th, 2026
Boston University School of Law, Barristers Hall
12:45 – 2:00pm
Please join us on Monday, November 16th for a lecture featuring Harrison Mbori, the Kleh Visiting Professor in Barristers Hall. More details to come! 

 

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 US 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 US Supreme Court.

Boston University School of Law is pleased to invite you to the Annual Pike Lecture on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 featuring Jasmine Harris, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. For more details on the lecture and to register, please visit the lecture page here. 

 

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

 

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.

Boston University School of Law is excited to Announce this years Annual Distinguished Lecturer will be Justin Driver, Robert R. Slaughter Professor of Law, Yale Law School. The lecture will take place on Thursday, February 25th, from 12:45 – 2:00pm. More information about the lecture will be shared as we get closer to the date.