Erwin Chemerinsky

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, to Speak at University of Richmond Oct. 24 as part of Sharp Viewpoint Speakers Series

The renowned constitutional law scholar will continue exploring ‘Speaking About Speech — Dialogue, Difference, and Civil Discourse’ as final 2024 Sharp Series speaker.

October 9, 2024

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The University of Richmond celebrates fostering important and challenging dialogues through the annual Sharp Viewpoint Speakers Series. This year’s theme is “Speaking About Speech — Dialogue, Difference, and Civil Discourse.”

For the final event of the 2024 Sharp Series, UR will welcome Erwin Chemerinsky, a renowned constitutional law scholar and dean of UC Berkeley School of Law to campus on Oct. 24. In 2024, National Jurist magazine named Chemerinsky the most influential person in legal education in the United States. 

“This year, we have been welcoming speakers like Dean Chemerinsky to help us consider why civil discourse is both important and sometimes so difficult,” said UR President Kevin F. Hallock. “The Sharp Series provides wonderful opportunities for our campus community and the Richmond region to come together and learn and grow while hearing from thought-provoking, leading public intellectuals.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Modlin Center for the Arts, Camp Concert Hall. Advance registration is required. A brief reception will follow the program.

Chemerinsky is the dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at Berkeley Law. A legal scholar known for his studies of constitutional law and federal civil procedure, he previously served as the founding dean and Distinguished Professor of Law and Raymond Pryke Professor of First Amendment Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. He also taught law and political science at Duke University, University of Southern California Law School, and DePaul College of Law.

Chemerinsky is the third and final speaker in this year’s Sharp Series. In the spring, UR welcomed legal and political scholar and Princeton University professor Robert P. George and human rights advocate and CEO of PEN America Suzanne Nossel. Detailed speaker bios, additional information, and recordings of the first two events are available at www.richmond.edu/sharp.

The Richard L. Sharp Viewpoint Speakers Series was established in 2011 in honor of Richard L. Sharp, a nationally recognized entrepreneur, to present competing views on topics crucial to our society.

###