Mar 29, 2006
DePaul’s Black Law Students Association To Honor Jenner & Block Senior Partner Barry Sullivan For His Commitment To Civil Rights
Three-Year Student Scholarship Also to be Awarded at Event
Barry Sullivan knows what it is like to be in the legal trenches fighting for civil and human rights.
During his career, the seasoned litigator and academic has fought the good fight from the courtroom and the classroom. Sullivan, who is a senior partner in the law firm of Jenner & Block and former dean of the Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Va., will be honored for his tireless advocacy when the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at DePaul University awards him its first annual Progressives in the Professions Award at a scholarship dinner to be held at 6:30 p.m. March 31 in the Byfield’s Lounge of the Ambassador East Omni Hotel Chicago, 1301 N. State Parkway.
Sullivan began his legal career with a judicial clerkship with the Honorable John Minor Wisdom of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Sullivan was drawn to work with the jurist because of his strong commitment to racial equality and civil rights. He continued his commitment to civil and human rights while establishing a stellar legal career that has earned him a wealth of legal experience with expertise in numerous areas including state and federal constitutional and administrative law, local government law, environmental law, labor and employment law, bankruptcies and corporate restructurings, corporate and securities law, and criminal law.
In addition to private practice and academics, Sullivan also has worked in government and has been actively involved in championing human rights causes. During 1980 and 1981, Sullivan served as an assistant to the solicitor general of the United States, in which capacity he argued several cases in the U. S. Supreme Court.
However, it is Sullivan’s pro bono work that has allowed him to continue to advocate for civil and human rights. It is through this work that he has been actively involved in representing both indigent parties and non-governmental organizations in significant appellate litigation.
Among Sullivan's many pro bono cases is Batson v. Kentucky, in which he filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law to challenge the racial bias in jury selection. He also filed an amicus brief on behalf of the American Bar Association in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld to support the right of counsel for U.S. detainees considered “enemy combatants.” Sullivan, who earned his law degree from the University of Chicago, also argued on behalf of the defendant in People v. Wilson, an important death penalty case in the Illinois Supreme Court.
“I cannot think of a more deserving person to be honored by BLSA with its first award to recognize contributions to furthering the cause of civil and human rights,” said Michele Goodwin, faculty advisor to BLSA and the director of DePaul’s Health Law Institute and its Center for Race and Bioethics. “Barry is an outstanding scholar, lawyer and community activist. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him on a few occasions, and each time, I am more impressed by his passion for civil rights and justice. He takes his activism seriously and is proud of it.”
As part of the program, the winner of a new, three-year scholarship will be announced. The scholarship will be given to a first-year DePaul student who also has worked to further civil and human rights causes. The recipient will be awarded $2,000 a year in scholarship money for each of the three years. To qualify, applicants must have a 3.2 grade point average and demonstrate a proven commitment to serving the community. Jenner & Block will fund the scholarship.
The BLSA chapter at the DePaul’s College of Law was established in 1977 to, among other things, provide academic support and promote the professional needs and goals of Black law students, foster professional competence and instill in the Black attorney a greater awareness and commitment to the needs of the Black community.
Note to Editors—Reporters wishing to cover this event should contact Valerie Phillips, DePaul Media Relations at 312/362-5039 or 312/330-3155 (cell).