New England Law is privileged to host many prominent speakers at our law school. These esteemed professionals have been the leading judicial, political, and business minds of their time. The wisdom and experiences they share helps us to better understand the world around us. We are deeply grateful to these individuals for visiting New England Law.
Hans Blix
Former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Dr. Hans Blix was Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1981-1997 and served as Chief Weapons Inspector for the United Nations from 2000-2003. In July 2003, Dr. Blix became the Executive Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, an autonomous international organization based in Sweden. Through his career, he also held roles as Adviser on International Law, Under-Secretary of State, and Minister of Foreign Affairs with the Swedish government.
Anthony Kennedy
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy served on the United States Supreme Court for thirty years after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. He previously held a seat on the United States Court of Appeals, to which he was nominated by President Gerald Ford, and he served as a Federal Judge on the Ninth Circuit for twelve years. Prior to his retirement in 2018, he became Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and was, at that time, the longest-serving Justice.
Antonin Scalia
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Antonin Scalia joined the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986. Justice Scalia was
initially nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit. After being confirmed, Justice Scalia served on the D.C. Circuit for
the next four years before President Reagan later nominated him to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Prior to his time on the Court, Justice Scalia worked in private practice and academia.
John L. Murray
Chief Justice of Ireland Court
Chief Justice John L. Murray served as Chief Justice of Ireland from 2004 until 2011, after
which he remained on the Irish Supreme Court until his retirement in 2015. Before this, Chief
Justice Murray served as Attorney General of Ireland twice, first in 1982 and second from 1987
to 1991. Following his second term as Attorney General, he was appointed to the European Court
of Justice, where he was a Judge until 1999.
Lawrence Lucchino
Former President, CEO, and Owner of the Boston Red Sox Court
Lawrence “Larry” Lucchino was part owner, President, and CEO of the Boston Red Sox from
2002-2015. While under his leadership, the Red Sox entered one of its most successful periods,
winning three World Series and breaking the “Curse of the Bambino.” While with the Red Sox,
Mr. Lucchino also fostered the team’s relationship with Dana-Farber Hospital, the Jimmy Fund,
and the Pan-Mass Challenge. Before he was with the Red Sox organization, Mr. Lucchino also
served as President of the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg broke barriers as the
second woman and first Jewish woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, to which
she was nominated by President Bill Clinton. During her tenure, Associate Justice Ginsburg was
an advocate for gender equality and women’s rights but was also known for the connections she
was able to make across party lines. She came to the Supreme Court after thirteen years on the
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Sandra Day O’Connor
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman to serve on the United
States Supreme Court. Early legal work proved she was capable of what many believed women
were incapable of at that time, and she rose through the Arizona state government, ultimately
becoming Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. From there, she was nominated to the United
States Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, where she spent years drafting majority
opinions and acting as a swing vote in many pivotal cases. In 2009, she was awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Sandra Day O’Connor
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman to serve on the United
States Supreme Court. Early legal work proved she was capable of what many believed women
were incapable of at that time, and she rose through the Arizona state government, ultimately
becoming Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. From there, she was nominated to the United
States Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, where she spent years drafting majority
opinions and acting as a swing vote in many pivotal cases. In 2009, she was awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Sandra Day O’Connor
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman to serve on the United
States Supreme Court. Early legal work proved she was capable of what many believed women
were incapable of at that time, and she rose through the Arizona state government, ultimately
becoming Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. From there, she was nominated to the United
States Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, where she spent years drafting majority
opinions and acting as a swing vote in many pivotal cases. In 2009, she was awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Sandra Day O’Connor
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman to serve on the United
States Supreme Court. Early legal work proved she was capable of what many believed women
were incapable of at that time, and she rose through the Arizona state government, ultimately
becoming Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. From there, she was nominated to the United
States Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, where she spent years drafting majority
opinions and acting as a swing vote in many pivotal cases. In 2009, she was awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Martin J. Walsh
Former Mayor of Boston
Martin J. Walsh was elected as Mayor of the City of Boston in 2013, where he grew the city’s
economy, reduced crime, and invested in education. He first entered the Massachusetts
government when he was elected to the House of Representatives, where he focused on
supporting the working class, creating jobs, and expanding mental health treatment. President
Joseph Biden nominated Mayor Walsh to be the United States Secretary of Labor in 2021.
Following his tenure, he was appointed the Executive Director of the National Hockey League
Players’ Association.
John G. Roberts
Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Chief Justice John G. Roberts became the youngest Chief Justice of the United States Supreme
Court in a century when he was nominated by President George W. Bush. President Bush had
previously nominated Chief Justice Roberts to the United States Court of Appeals. Chief Justice
Roberts’ long-established roots in Washington, D.C. began with clerkships in federal courts, and
later, as a Special Assistant to the Attorney General and Associate Counsel to President Ronald
Reagan.
Beverley McLachlin
Chief Justice of Canada
The Right Honorable Beverley McLachlin was the first woman in Canada to hold the position of
Chief Justice of Canada within the country’s Supreme Court. Previously, she served on the
Supreme Court of British Columbia and was named to the province’s Court of Appeal in 1985.
She remained there until being appointed the Chief Justice of Canada in 2000.
Karyn Polito
Former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Karyn Polito was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, serving with Governor Charlie
Baker. She held the position for two terms. Before this, she worked for the town of Shrewsbury
as a Town Meeting Member and on the Board of Selectmen. In 2000, Polito was elected to the
Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the Eleventh District of Worcester
Kimberly S. Budd
Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court
Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd is the 38th Chief Justice of Supreme Judicial Court of
Massachusetts and is the first Black woman to lead the Court. She began her career clerking in
the Massachusetts Appeals Court and also worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the
Major Crimes and Drug Units. She was appointed an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts
Superior Court in 2009 and was nominated to the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Charlie
Baker, who later nominated her to the role of Chief Justice in 2020.
Andrea Joy Campbell
Massachusetts Attorney General Court
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell became the first Black woman and second Black person
to hold the role of Massachusetts Attorney General. Previously, she served as General Counsel at
the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and also as Legal Counsel to Governor Deval
Patrick before becoming the first woman to represent District 4 on the Boston City Council. In
2018, a unanimous vote made her the President of the Council, where she served for two years.
Edward F. Davis
Former Commissioner of the Boston Police Department
Edward F. Davis served as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department for seven years. He is
particularly remembered for his courage and composure as he helped lead Boston through the
aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. In 2014, after stepping down as Boston’s
Police Commissioner, he completed a fellowship at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard
Kennedy School and founded The Edward Davis Company.
Denise J. Casper
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Chief Judge Denise J. Casper became the first Black woman to serve as a Federal Judge in
Massachusetts upon her nomination to the United States District Court for the District of
Massachusetts in 2010. Her long history of presiding over significant cases includes the trial,
conviction, and sentencing of James “Whitey” Bulger. In July 2025, she
assumed the role of Chief Judge.