Acclaimed legal scholar and social justice advocate Darren Lenard Hutchinson will join the Emory Law faculty July 1 as the inaugural John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice. Photo courtesy of University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Acclaimed legal scholar and social justice advocate Darren Lenard Hutchinson has been named the Emory University School of Law inaugural John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice. He will join the faculty July 1, 2021.
Civil rights and social justice are the central focus of Hutchinson’s research, teaching, administrative work, and community engagement. He is currently the Raymond & Miriam Ehrlich Eminent Scholar at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and is widely known among legal academics and scholars in other fields for the rigor of his work and his sustained commitment to analyzing and remedying inequality.
“Throughout his years of groundbreaking research, Professor Hutchinson has explored the intersection of law, social justice, and civil rights and developed solutions to systemic failures that have impacted marginalized communities,” says Emory President Gregory L. Fenves. “His expertise aligns perfectly with Emory’s mission to serve humanity and our strategies to support social justice research and prepare the next generation of leaders.”
“As our nation’s communities continue to grapple with the racism and social and civil justice issues Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to solving, it seems especially fitting to announce Professor Hutchinson’s appointment to our faculty,” says Emory Law Dean Mary Anne Bobinski. “We look forward to providing a home in Atlanta, one of the birthplaces of the civil rights movement, for Professor Hutchinson’s work and supporting him in creating a center for civil rights and social justice where he may conduct research, promote teaching, convene the community, invite collaboration, and offer policy solutions on the many challenging issues facing our society.”
The John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice is intended to serve as a lasting tribute to the legacy of “good trouble” advocated by the late congressman from Georgia’s Fifth District and establish Emory Law as a leader in teaching, research and community activism related to civil rights and social justice…
As a nation, if we care for the Beloved Community, we must move our feet, our hands, our hearts, our resources to build and not tear down, to reconcile and not to divide, to love and not to hate.