The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service at Suffolk University Law School fosters innovative thinking on law and public policy and promotes emerging leaders who are deeply committed to public service and pro bono work.

Serving as the home to all public service related activity at the law school, the Rappaport Center:

• Sponsors an extensive public policy programming agenda;
• Advises students interested in public service careers;
• Manages the law school's Pro Bono Program; and
• Administers the Rappaport Fellowship Program in Law and Public Policy and other fellowship programs.

At the heart of the Center is the thriving Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy. The Rappaport Fellowship, a highly competitive program dating back to 2000, engages twelve law students from Boston area law schools in policy work at state and local government agencies each summer.

Barney Frank: Dysfunctional Democracy

If you thought Congressman Barney Frank was outspoken during his 32-year, 16-term tenure, you haven’t heard anything yet. Frank provided a no-holds-barred commentary on American politics at a public discussion co-sponsored by the Rappaport Center and theFord Hall Forum at Suffolk University. More than 300 people gathered at the early-morning event to hear Frank chat with WGBH’s Callie Crossley. Read more.

Annual Pro Bono Award Ceremony and Reception

This year the Pro Bono Program presented our Public Service Award to Justice Ralph D. Gants of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Alice Keh, JD '12, was also honored with the Pro Bono Program Student Award. As always, it was a fun event celebrating pro bono achievements in the community and the public service work of Suffolk Law students.



Suffolk Public Interest Law Group (SPILG) Auction

Each year, students organize a huge Silent and Live Auction at the law school to raise money for summer fellowship in public service placements. This year's auction was a huge success and raised over $30,000!

Does Massachusetts Need a (New) Three Strikes Law?, Rappaport Center Blue Cross Blue Shield Roundtable

House Minority Whip Bradford Hill, United States District Judge Nancy Gertner (ret.), and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian led a capacity crowd in a lively debate of the pros and cons of the sentencing reform bills currently being negotiated by a Massachusetts legislative conference committee. Rep. Hill explained the evolution of “Melissa’s Bill,” which he introduced shortly after the murder of 27-year-old Melissa Gosule in 1999, from a California-type “three strikes” bill to a more narrowly tailored habitual offender provision targeted at the most violent offenders. Others questioned whether even a more narrow provision will reduce crime or just exacerbate prison overcrowding.

Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project 2012 National Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC

This past March, the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project at Suffolk Law took the six local high school students who won our citywide competition in February to Washington, D.C. for the national competition. The issue was a sophisticated one – the constitutionality of life without parole for juveniles convicted of felony murder. After three rounds on Saturday, five of the six were selected for the semi-final round on Sunday. They competed in courtrooms at the U.S. District Court in Washington. The high school students did a great job, as did the Suffolk Marshall-Brennan Fellows who were their coaches. Congratulations to all the high school students who competed, Suffolk Law students who coached them, and to Professors Michael Avery and Kim McLaurin for organizing and running the program.

The Influencing Machine: How The Media Shape Our View of Politics, with Brooke Gladstone

During times of national importance, such as political elections, answering this question becomes increasingly taboo. Ms. Gladstone, current managing editor and co-host of NPR show On the Media, shared her inside view of media’s machinations. In her latest book, The Influencing Machine, her cartoon figure conducts readers on a fascinating tour of media history, debunking with wit and savvy the notion that "the media" is an external force beyond our control. This event was co-hosted by the Suffolk Media Law Group.

Remember to subscribe to our email list for updates on upcoming events!

Tuesday, May 15: The Cost of Health Care: Finding the Right Balance , 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the Function Room
The symposium will bring together a distinguished group of scholars and practitioners to discuss whether the steadily rising costs of health care are “crowding out” other more productive uses of that money, and how policymakers might encourage more efficient and effective uses of those funds. Event details and RSVP
*Co-sponsored by the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at Harvard University

Tightening the Ties that Bind: Economic Governance in the Euro Area
On Monday, April 2 EU Scholar Brigid Laffan spoke to Suffolk Law Professor Sara Dillon’s EU Law class about the European fiscal crises and the new treaty rules. Professor Laffan, who is currently visiting at the Harvard Center for European Studies, is the Principal of the College of Human Sciences, University College Dublin (UCD).

America’s First Great Depression: Economic Crisis and Political Disorder after the Panic of 1837

Professor Alasdair Roberts, Suffolk Law’s Rappaport Professor of Law and Public Policy, discusses his upcoming book and how it relates to the United States economy today.

Read the Rappaport Briefing blog
for news about Rappaport Center activities as well as student commentaries on issues confronting state and local government in Massachusetts.

Read the RappaportToday policy blog
devoted to Greater Boston's public policy issues, leaders and educators.

RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES FROM THE CENTER