Charles Ogletree Named First Climenko Professor of Law

Charles Ogletree Named First Jesse Climenko Professor of Law

Criminal law specialist Charles Ogletree has been named the first Jesse Climenko Professor of Law at the Law School.

Ogletree, a member of the faculty since 1984, has been faculty director of the School's Clinical Programs since 1996 and director of the School's Criminal Justice Institute since 1990. His courses include Legal Reasoning and Argument, Trial Advocacy Workshop, and Introduction to Trial Advocacy: Criminal Justice.

The Climenko Professorship was established this year to support instruction in the practical aspects of lawyering, such as research and writing, interviewing and counseling, negotiating and drafting agreements, oral advocacy and litigation skills, and close analysis of ethical responsibilities. The School created the professorship with support from a bequest from the late Jesse Climenko, who began practicing law in New York City following his graduation from the Law School in 1927. Climenko was actively engaged in the practice of law until his retirement more than 60 years later.

"I'm grateful to be appointed to a professorship that reflects the critical importance of the practice of law and the professionalism of lawyers," says Ogletree. "This confirms that the work we are engaged in will help prepare the next generation of lawyers to improve the reputation, image, and accountability of the legal profession."

Ogletree received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1978, a B.A. in political science from Stanford University in 1974, an M.A. in political science from Stanford University in 1975, and a honorary doctor of laws (1998) from New England School of Law.

He recently received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services and received the Paul Freund-Albert Sacks Award for Teaching Excellence at Harvard Law School in 1993.

Ogletree has successfully argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and various state and federal courts throughout the United States. He currently represents Frank Carter (Monica Lewinsky's first lawyer) and Mike Espy, the former Secretary of Agriculture.