By Aaron Samuels
The University School of Law awarded the Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law honorarium to Professor Eric M. Freedman.
A convocation was held on Nov. 22 at the University Law School to honor Freedman’s accomplishments. Speakers in attendance included Freedman’s colleagues from the University Law School, President Stuart Rabinowitz and distinguished guest Anthony G. Amsterdam from the New York University School of Law.
Earlier this year, Freedman was presented with the Dybwad Humanitarian Award from the American Association on Mental Retardation. He received this honor for his legal representation of Earl Washington Jr., a mentally retarded black man who was the first person ever to be released from death row in Virginia.
Amsterdam, an influential legal scholar and the author of dozens of books and articles, said he took “extraordinary pride” in having Freedman receive this award.
Amsterdam addressed his dissatisfaction with the current status of civil rights, calling it “as dead as Davy Crocket’s hat.”
Amsterdam’s treatise on criminal defense is the definitive work in the field of law. At New York University he designed the groundbreaking Lawyering Program and received the Great Teacher award in 1989.
Freedman was presented a medal to signify his new title and received two standing ovations.
“He [Freedman] is a brilliant scholar and a wonderful role model,” Rabinowitz said. “He is truly and uniquely qualified to hold honor.”
The award was named in honor of Deane, a member and former chairperson of the University Board of Trustees. While attending the University, Deane ranked first in his class and received prizes in both constitutional law and evidence. Today, he is the president of Bama Equities Inc., an investment and venture capital concern.
Freedman has been affiliated with the School Of Law since 1988 and has published numerous articles dealing with civil liberties, including capital punishment, the habeas corpus rights of alleged criminals and the first amendment. He also received the University’s Stessin Prize for Outstanding Scholarship for his work on the Articles of Confederation and was named The University’s Distinguished Scholarly Lecturer for his research into presidential immunity.
Freedman expanded on Amsterdam’s discussion of the flaws in the legal system by citing the potential dangers to civil liberties with such examples as the war on terrorism.
“True courage is to reject false safety and speak out against oppression,” he said.
“No one is more dedicated to the law school,” law Professor, Alan Resnick said. “Freedman represents all those in desperate need.”