American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) President Deborah Archer will deliver the keynote address at Seattle University School of Law’s Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 17.
In the more than 100 years of the ACLU’s existence, Archer is the first person of color elected president. She is also the associate dean for Experiential Education and Clinical Programs, Margaret B. Hoppin Professor of Clinical Law, and faculty director of the Community Equity Initiative at New York University School of Law.
Seattle U Law Dean Anthony E. Varona called Archer “an internationally renowned scholar, author, and leader in civil rights and civil liberties and racial justice, and leader in experiential legal education.”
“I am beyond happy that another nationally renowned luminary in law will serve as our law school’s May Commencement speaker. President Archer will provide enormous wisdom to our new graduates and a fitting welcome to the legal profession,” he said. “Throughout her career, she has bridged legal theory and direct engagement by working on some of the most vexing problems of constitutional and public law that we face today as a society. Her insights will be invaluable to those who are transitioning from legal education to the practice of law.”
Archer’s work has appeared in many leading law reviews, and she has provided commentary for prominent news outlets, including MSNBC, NPR, CBS, the BBC, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Monocle. Her latest book, “Dividing Lines,” explores the link between transportation infrastructure and racial inequality.
She previously worked as an attorney with the ACLU and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., where she litigated in the areas of voting rights, employment discrimination, and school desegregation. She was also chair of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, the nation’s oldest and largest police oversight agency.
The civil rights and racial justice expert earned her law degree at Yale Law School and her undergraduate degree at Smith College, where she serves as a trustee and was awarded the Smith College Medal, the school’s highest honor.
Jeffrey Frank ’86, a shareholder at Buchalter in Seattle, delivered the address at December Commencement. In his speech, he encouraged the graduates to always seek out pro bono opportunities.