Boston University School of Law

06/02/2026

Congratulations to Kai MacLean (’26) and Olivia Reeves (’26) on your Equal Justice Works fellowships!

MacLean will be working with the Justice Resource Institute to support people reentering the community after incarceration who face disproportionate overdose risk, by providing trauma-informed, client-centered, and low-barrier legal services.

Reeves will be working with the Northeast Justice Center to mitigate the harms of workplace pregnancy discrimination and situate the Northeastern Massachusetts community to address pregnancy discrimination attempts at the individual and legislative levels.

Thank you to the generosity of Pfizer and the Fricklas & Astion Foundation for sponsoring these EJW fellowships!

06/01/2026

After graduating from law school, working for several years in New York, and then moving back to her home state of Texas, Cristina Ramirez (’13) was looking for way to reconnect with her community. When she found the BU Austin Alumni Network, it was the perfect blend of two worlds.

“Austin is my home, but it’s nostalgic to have a piece of Beantown here. It’s a great way to network, meet new people, and expand my horizons,” says Ramirez, who is also involved in the BU Law Young Alumni Council.

Learn more about ways to get involved ⬇️ http://spr.ly/6183B8pppJ

05/29/2026

In addition to his Commencement speech, John Ward (’76) delivered the Boston University Baccalaureate Address at Marsh Chapel.

Ward, the first openly gay male attorney in Boston and the first openly gay man to argue before the United States Supreme Court, delivered a deeply personal and spiritually grounded address rooted in the legacy of Howard Thurman, the legendary theologian and dean who made Marsh Chapel holy ground.

Following his delivery at Marsh Chapel, Ward was awarded an honorary degree at the All-University Commencement.

Listen to his Baccalaureate Address here ⬇️

On May 18, 2026, civil rights attorney and GLAD Law founder John Wa...

05/28/2026

Take a look back at some moments from the Boston University 2026 All-University Commencement, including Julie Dahlstrom receiving the Metcalf Cup and Prize and John Ward (’76) receiving his honorary degree!

📷 Photos by Doug Levy and Hannah Osofsky.

See more ➡️ http://spr.ly/6184B8prVw

05/28/2026

Katharine Silbaugh and co-author Henry L. Dorkin discuss the value of and pushback on ‘nicotine free generation’ policies, which have been enacted in communities across Massachusetts and recently adopted by the United Kingdom.

The policy allows retailers to continue to sell to***co products to current users, but would prohibit the sale to anyone born past a certain date in order to limit future addiction.

“The birthdate phaseout responds compassionately to the conundrum of existing addicted users without capitulating to the industry’s exploitation of adolescence,” they write.

Read more ⬇️

Britain embraces a Massachusetts experiment on to***co regulation — just as the commonwealth might roll it back.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Shira Diner on receiving a Lawyer of the Year Award from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly!

Diner was honored at the Leaders in the Law event last week in recognition of her work in advocating for increased pay and structural support for court-appointed bar advocates.

Learn more ➡️ http://spr.ly/6188B8pMTm

05/27/2026

After 70 years of distinguished service to the Massachusetts legal community, Paul Sugarman (’54) is remembered as a world class trial attorney, dedicated family man, generous friend, and committed mentor.

After his passing in 2025, Sugarman's family donated hundreds of his books to , who hosted a free book fair to share his legacy and library with a new generation of lawyers.

“This is really amazing,” says student Maya Mallya (’29). “A lot of us move to Boston from out of state and can’t bring our own books, so to come here and have the ability to pick from someone’s personal collection is so meaningful and impactful. It’s another way that Mr. Sugarman is continuing his mentorship, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

Read more ➡️ http://spr.ly/6189B8prwh

05/27/2026

Madison Condon discusses the recent dispute over the retirement of controversial worst-case climate modeling scenario RCP8.5.

“If you are working on local adaptation and trying to figure out how high to build a sea wall, you certainly want to consider what the worst that can happen is,” she says.

Read more ⬇️

While global warming is still a threat, the decision to back away from a worst-case outlook raises questions about whether some risks have been overstated.

05/26/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. Clarence B. Jones (’59), an accomplished lawyer; civil rights icon; veteran; and personal attorney, advisor, draft speechwriter, and friend to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (GRS’55, HON.’59).

Dr. Jones played a pivotal role in shaping our nation through his leadership and work in the Civil Rights Movement. After graduating from , Jones worked closely with Dr. King, serving as an organizer and strategic partner for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, helping to write the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, smuggling out and disseminating the “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” and more.

Beyond his immeasurable contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Jones’s pioneering legal career is marked with historic achievements, including his work as an observer and negotiator on behalf of the inmates during the uprising at Attica, the deadliest prison riot in US history; his appointment as the first Black partner of a Wall Street investment banking firm and the first Black allied member of the New York Stock Exchange; and his time as co-publisher and editor of the New York Amsterdam News, one of the oldest Black-owned New York City newspapers.

In 2024, Dr. Jones was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in recognition for his unwavering lifelong commitment to social justice and the monumental impact of his work with Dr. King.

Learn more about Dr. Jones’s work and historic impact ⬇️

A confidant and lawyer for Martin Luther King, he was an unseen hand behind major civil rights events, including the 1963 March on Washington.

05/22/2026

“Despite the fact that – like many of you, I imagine – I got out of law school pretty well hooked on overwork and over achievement. Nevertheless, the ten thousand joys and suffering of a busy lawyer’s life never completely obscured the sense that there was a truer self to be discovered, an authentic self that harbored a longing for something more than what the world calls success; something that impelled me to dive deeper.

The conventional wisdom is that this quest belongs to the second half of life, years away from where most of you are at. But I say to you, why wait until you’re pushing fifty? Your deepest desire is your deepest wisdom. Invite it to show itself and guide your steps. This world has need, desperate need, of your wisdom right now.”

From GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders - GLAD Law founder John Ward’s (’76) Commencement address to the Class of 2026.

Watch his full remarks ➡️ http://spr.ly/6189B8D0JZ