Coleman Brings a Lifetime of Experience to UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 8, 2010) − Students, faculty and the public are invited to an important event to learn firsthand how a single lawyer can have a profound effect on society.  

William T. Coleman Jr. was the first African American to clerk on the U.S. Supreme Court, and he is coming to campus to deliver the UK College of Law's annual Roy R. and Virginia F. Ray lecture at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 8, in Memorial Hall. 

 
"We are very honored and privileged to have someone of Coleman's stature and prominence to deliver the law school's Ray Lecture this year," said College of Law Dean David Brennen. "Coleman offers inspiration for many who aspire to achieve in the field of law. He has also been the person behind the scenes as adviser and confidant to a number of prominent U.S. government officials. UK law students, the university community and all of Lexington are sure to enjoy this very special occasion."

 
Coleman will give two lectures, titled "Statutes or Regulations Certain U.S. Banking and Investment Systems Should Have" and "Challenges Facing Us over the Next Twenty Years to Remain the Greatest Nation in the World."
 

A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Coleman is a senior partner and the senior counselor in O'Melveny and Meyers Washington, D.C. office. A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law, he graduated first in his class with the Fay diploma. Coleman clerked for Justice Felix Frankfurter, served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the Ford Administration and has advised six former U.S. presidents.

 
The Roy R. and Virginia F. Ray Distinguished Lecture Series is the pre-eminent lecture series at UK Law. Established in 1977, the Ray Lecture has featured outstanding jurists and public figures discussing legal topics of current interest for 30 years.