Margaret Burnham Visiting Professor in Civil Rights

About the Opportunity 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.

Responsibilities:

The appointee will be responsible for:

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

Qualifications:

Required:

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

Preferred:

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

Required Application Materials:

A curriculum vitae

The names and contact information of three referencesA formal letter of interest:
In your letter of interest, please describe how your background and experience will contribute to carrying forward the work of Professor Margaret Burnham and the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, and your vision for how you will engage students, communities, and broader public audiences in that work.

Position Type Academic Additional  Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has…