UHLC observes Black History Month with a lecture on race and the law by noted legal scholar and author, Paul Butler

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Feb 15, 2017, 13:23 ET

HOUSTON, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Paul Butler, a Georgetown Law professor, author, and frequent commentator on race and the law, will speak Feb. 16 at the University of Houston Law Center as part of the school's observance of Black History Month.

Butler is the author of "Chokehold: Policing Black Men" published this spring and "Let's Get Free: A Hip-Hop Theory of Justice," which received the Harry Chapin Media award. Commenting on his lecture will be Interim UH Downtown President and Law Center Professor Michael A. Olivas, William B. Bates Distinguished Chair of Law; UHLC Professor David Dow, Cullen Professor of Law; Dr. James L. Conyers, director of the UH African American Studies Program; and U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas Vanessa D. Gilmore '81.

The lecture and reception are hosted by Dean Leonard M. Baynes and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the UH Law Alumni Association.

Since publication of "Let's Get Free" in 2009, Butler has been in great demand, providing commentary on race and criminal justice to media and scholarly publications in addition to authoring numerous op-eds, book reviews, and other articles. His first book sparked controversy for his arguments in favor of jury nullification as a form of protest in drug cases; just saying "no" when police ask for permission to search; and not working within the system as a "snitch."

In his no-holds-barred style, Butler examines in "Chokehold" how black men are treated and perceived by police, politicians and ordinary people. He also frankly comments on the problem of black-on-black violence and how to make communities safer without relying as much on police.

Before entering academia, Butler served as a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where his specialty was public corruption. His prosecutions included a U.S. Senator, three FBI agents, and several other law enforcement officials. He also worked as a special assistant U.S. attorney, prosecuting drug and gun cases.

Butler is a cum laude graduate of Yale, and a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School. He clerked for the Hon. Mary Johnson Lowe in the United States District Court in New York, and then joined the law firm of Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in white collar criminal defense.

The lecture is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, at the University of Houston Law Center. A reception and book signing will follow. Complimentary parking is available in Lot 19B. Please RSVP by Feb. to law.uh.edu/alumni/rsvp/ or by calling 713-743-2209.

Media contacts: Elena Hawthorne, UH Law Center Interim Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected]; John T. Kling, UH Law Center Communications Manager, 713-743-8298, [email protected]; and John Brannen, Senior Writer, 713-743-3055, [email protected]

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 42,700 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.

About the University of Houston Law Center
The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4^th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center