Recent News

COVID-19 Behind Bars: The Crisis Inside and Out

May 28, 2020 Race & Law

On Thursday, May 28 at 11 AM EDT, Georgetown Law hosted a panel discussion about the COVID-19 crisis in prison and jails, its impact on prisoners and the wider community, and the path forward. Four professors on the frontlines of addressing the crisis…

As incoming students last year, 2L students Megan Lipsky and Chiemeka Onwuanaegbule participated in the inaugural class of RISE, a program for applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds. This year, 67 incoming J.D. students will participate in the pre-Orientation from August 18 to 23.

RISE Program Helps 1Ls From Historically Underrepresented Backgrounds to Thrive

August 19, 2019 Civil Rights & Antidiscrimination Race & Law

When Megan Lipsky (L’21) was preparing to go to Georgetown Law from the University of Miami in the summer of 2018, she learned about a new Georgetown program called RISE. Officially launched last year, RISE is designed to support incoming J.D. students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in law school and lawyering — including but not limited to racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, and first-generation college backgrounds.

Professor Rosa Brooks, right (with Distinguished Visitor from Practice Christy Lopez) was installed as Georgetown Law’s inaugural Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of Law and Policy on March 20.

Professor Rosa Brooks Installed as the Inaugural Scott K. Ginsburg Professor

March 22, 2019 Civil Rights & Antidiscrimination Criminal Law Human Rights & Immigration International & Comparative Law Race & Law

“Just as our recent wars have mostly been against those who are poor, those who can easily be demonized and viewed as ‘other’ by the average American — so too, our criminal law has tended to be enforced primarily and disproportionately against the poor and people of color,” said Professor Rosa Brooks, who was installed as Georgetown Law’s inaugural Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of Law and Policy on March 20.

Professor Sheryll Cashin, seated between Professor Jill Morrison and Professor Paul Butler, at "Can I Live? Black Women's Lives in America" at Georgetown Law on February 11.

“Can I Live?” Examines Black Women’s Lives in America

February 15, 2019 Civil Rights & Antidiscrimination Feminism & Gender Studies Race & Law

Sandra Bland, who died in prison after being arrested for a traffic violation. Aiyana Stanley-Jones, a seven-year-old shot and killed by police during a raid. Renisha McBride, shot and killed by a homeowner when she knocked on the door of a house. Black women in America have lost their lives, and have been subjected to other horrific injustices, just as men have been. Yet America does not often remember their names.

An image of Professor Paul Butler from his video "Ten Commandments for Black Men," shown for the first time at Georgetown Law on January 17.

Professor Paul Butler Premieres Video: “Ten Commandments for Black Men”

January 18, 2019 Civil Rights & Antidiscrimination Criminal Law Race & Law

Almost half of all African American men have been arrested by age 23. One in three have a felony conviction. More than 500,000 are currently incarcerated. Professor Paul Butler knows this, because as a former federal prosecutor, it was his job to lock up black men. But Butler, a black man, is well aware that his own resume (which also includes Georgetown Law professor and a J.D. from Harvard) hasn’t insulated him from police bias.