John C.P. Goldberg appointed Harvard Law School dean

John C.P. Goldberg, Carter Professor of General Jurisprudence, has been designated the Morgan and Helen Chu Dean and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. He transitions into the permanent position after having served as interim dean since March of the previous year.

“During our search process, we sought a leader capable of navigating today’s intricate landscape while furthering the Law School’s academic strengths and influence. John embodies that leader,” remarked President Alan M. Garber. “His unwavering commitment to excellence and inclusivity, along with the fundamental importance of academic freedom in promoting these goals, is commendable. We are thrilled that he will continue to guide and support Harvard Law School.”

Recognized for his integrity, intellect, and effective stewardship, Goldberg has occupied multiple administrative roles that have provided him with extensive institutional insight at HLS. He has been a member of the faculty since 2008, served as deputy dean from 2017 to 2022, and actively participated as a member and chair of various HLS-specific committees, including the Lateral Appointments Committee.

Apart from his contributions to HLS, Goldberg has also engaged broadly with the University during his tenure at Harvard. He has provided guidance on numerous issues and has served on committees such as the Provost’s Advisory Committee, the University Discrimination and Harassment Policy Steering Committee, and has chaired the Electronic Communications Policy Oversight Committee.

“I am profoundly thankful for this chance to serve the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Harvard Law School, especially at a time when law and legal education are so crucial,” Goldberg expressed. “Collaboratively, we will strive to enhance our comprehension of the law and examine how it can best uphold constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and the foundational American principle of liberty and equal justice for everyone. In doing so, we will build on the rich traditions of this distinguished institution and our profession: rigorous inquiry and education, open and rational discourse, as well as diligent and passionate advocacy.”

Goldberg has authored numerous publications, including textbooks and scholarly articles. As a specialist in tort law, he was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Tort Law from 2009 to 2015 and continues to serve on its editorial board. He also co-authored a leading casebook, “Tort Law: Responsibilities and Redress,” along with “The Oxford Introductions to U.S. Law: Torts.” Currently, he is the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Legal Analysis and serves on the editorial board of the journal Legal Theory.

Together with his frequent co-author, Professor Benjamin Zipursky, Goldberg received consecutive recognitions from the Association of American Law Schools, specifically the Section on Torts and Compensation Systems William L. Prosser Award in 2023 and the Section on Jurisprudence Hart-Dworkin Award in Legal Philosophy in 2024. Their co-authored book with Harvard University Press, “Recognizing Wrongs,” addressing the critical role of tort law in the legal framework, was awarded the Civil Justice Scholarship Award by the National Civil Justice Institute in 2023.

“I am thrilled that John Goldberg will assume the role of dean at Harvard Law School,” stated Provost John F. Manning. “He possesses a profound dedication to the legal profession and to Harvard Law School, approaching every task with integrity, humility, and wisdom. It has been a privilege to collaborate closely with him over the years, and I am confident that he will be an exceptional dean.”

Prior to his tenure at Harvard, Goldberg taught at Vanderbilt University Law School, where he served as associate dean for research from 2005 to 2008. In the early phase of his career, he clerked for Justice Byron R. White on the Supreme Court, as well as for Judge Jack B. Weinstein in the Eastern District of New York, and worked as an associate at the Boston firm Hill and Barlow.

Goldberg received his B.A. from Wesleyan University with high honors. He also obtained an M.Phil. in politics from Oxford University and an M.A. in politics from Princeton University. His J.D. was earned at New York University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the NYU Law Review.