Professors Keith Hylton and Maria O’Brien, Jonathan Allen (’19) Honored by Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
BU Law professors and student recognized at the organization’s 45th anniversary gala.
William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor Keith Hylton and Professor of Law Maria O’Brien were honored with Trailblazer Awards from the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA) at the organization’s 45th anniversary gala. The awards recognize “leaders who have enriched the legal profession and created career pathways for black lawyers,” according to the MBLA.
In addition to honoring the professors, MBLA recognized Jonathan L. Allen (’19) with the Honorable Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland Leadership and Juvenile Advocacy Scholarship. The award “seeks to support the development of students who, like Chief Justice Ireland, have exhibited a commitment to developing strong leadership skills and a passion for juvenile advocacy,” according to the MBLA website.
Keith Hylton joined the BU Law faculty in 1995. He is a prolific scholar who is widely recognized for his work across a broad spectrum of topics in law and economics, including tort law, antitrust, labor law, intellectual property, civil procedure, and empirical legal analysis. He has published five books and more than 100 articles in numerous law and economics journals. He serves as an associate editor of the International Review of Law and Economics, a contributing editor of the Antitrust Law Journal, co-editor of Competition Policy International, and editor of the Social Science Research Network’s Torts & Products Liability Law eJournal. He is the president of the American Law and Economics Association (2017–2018 term) and a member of the American Law Institute.
A noted employee benefits law and insurance law specialist, Maria O’Brien began her teaching career at Boston University School of Law in 1988. She taught at De Paul University College of Law from 1989 until rejoining the Boston University faculty in 1995. She teaches courses on employment law, ERISA, contracts, and insurance law, and has numerous publications to her credit, most recently articles about pension plan recoupment of over payments in the Kansas Law Journal and the effects of overruling Abood on public sector employees in the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. She also is the co-author of Cases and Materials on Employee Benefits Law and Using Civil Remedies for Criminal Behavior: Rationale, Case Studies, and Constitutional Issues. She is a member of the American Law Institute and an editor of the Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal.
An ordained minister, Jonathan Allen focuses on engaging with and creating opportunities for marginalized young people with the goal of diverting them from the criminal justice system. In his hometown in Louisiana, he worked with local officials, business leaders, and faith organizations to develop a conference offering workshops on leadership development, college applications, résumé writing, money management, and more. In partnership with the local Parish Council and District Attorney’s office, Allen has worked to move the conference from an annual gathering to a series of trainings throughout the year to empower young people and equip them with the tools they need to succeed. “Marginalized youth aren’t often exposed to these opportunities,” Allen says. “Their options are limited so they make other choices based on what is available to them, and that often leads them into trouble. I created this conference to inspire them and get them to chase their dreams.” He also provides leadership development consulting for colleges and universities through The Leadership Brainery, a consulting firm he launched with his fiancé, Derrick Young.
“Keith Hylton and Maria O’Brien are exceptional scholars who are deeply committed to legal education, and Jonathan Allen has done outstanding work as a student here at BU Law,” says Dean Maureen A. O’Rourke. “They have all contributed a great deal to our community, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”
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