Margaret Burnham Visiting Professor in Civil Rights

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Northeastern University School of Law invites applications for the Margaret Burnham Visiting Professorship in Civil Rights. This appointment honors the legacy of University Distinguished Professor Margaret Burnham, founder of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice (CRRJ) Project, and is established to support a faculty appointment that continues the work of Professor Burnham and the CRRJ during a critical period of transition. The CRRJ is a nationally recognized research and advocacy project that investigates racial violence during the Jim Crow era, advances civil rights accountability, and develops restorative remedies for communities harmed by that violence. The appointee will sustain and build on this work, supervising clinic students, teaching a related seminar, and engaging in public-facing civil rights advocacy. Northeastern University School of Law is a national leader in experiential legal education with deep institutional commitments to public interest law and racial justice. The Margaret Burnham Visiting Professorship reflects those commitments at their highest expression. This is a one-year, fixed-term appointment, renewable annually for a maximum total appointment period of three years, subject to university approval. Highly accomplished scholars with expertise in the field of civil rights or Black studies as well as expert practitioners or other renowned professionals with expertise in the field of civil rights who bring new perspectives and experiences to campus, and drive national conversations on civil rights, should apply.

Requirements

A terminal degree in a field related to law (e.g., JD, LLB, or comparable foreign equivalent) or demonstrated equivalent expertise through distinguished practice, scholarship, or public leadership in civil rights
Recognized expertise and accomplishment in the field of civil rights or Black studies, whether as a practitioner, scholar, advocate, or public figure
Demonstrated capacity to engage public audiences and contribute to national conversations on civil rights
Demonstrated potential for outstanding teaching and/or student mentorship
Demonstrated capacity to supervise a team of lawyers

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising law students or other trainees in a clinical, practice, or advocacy setting
Familiarity with historical civil rights investigation, documentation, or restorative justice frameworks
Experience in litigation, policy advocacy, or community-based legal work related to civil rights or racial justice
Scholarly work addressing civil rights, Black studies, or retrospective justice

Responsibilities

Overseeing the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, including its clinics, research projects, and litigation
Teaching the clinic seminar and/or related civil rights courses
Public engagement, including community outreach, media commentary, advocacy, and participation in national civil rights conversations
Advising students and contributing to the academic community of Northeastern Law
Scholarly work in the field of civil rights or Black studies