In spring 2021, University of Miami School of Law Professor Mary Anne Franks was named the Michael R. Klein Distinguished Scholar Chair to recognize her substantial contributions and ongoing accomplishments in scholarship and advocacy at the confluence of civil rights and technology.
She will be awarded the chair at an investiture ceremony on February 18, 2022.
Faculty chairs acknowledge the distinction of the law school's outstanding professors and are made possible by the incredible generosity of Miami Law's alumni and friends.
“I am truly honored by this appointment,” said Franks. “Michael R. Klein’s extraordinary contributions and leadership in the areas of civil rights, the arts, and education are inspiring. I am grateful to the School of Law for this demonstration of support of my scholarship and advocacy.”
About Professor Franks
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently named Franks a 2021 Knight Visiting Scholar, charged with curating a research series and convening thought leaders from industry, policy, and academia on the internet, democracy, and society.
The Dean's Distinguished Scholar is widely regarded for her writing on First and Second Amendment law and the intersections of law and technology. She serves as president and legislative and tech policy director of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating online harassment and discrimination. Franks regularly provides expert analysis on free speech and the internet for nationally acclaimed media outlets and advises legislators and tech industry leaders on online privacy, harassment, criminal law, and threats.
“The chair is a fitting and well-deserved recognition for Dr. Franks, whose scholarship, advocacy, and teaching have enriched our Miami Law community and contributed significantly to the law and technology discourse at every level, from the kids to the international,” Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Judge A. Jay Cristol Professor of Bankruptcy Law Andrew Dawson.
The Taiwanese-American is the author of the award-winning 2019 book The Cult of the Constitution. Her second book, Fearless Speech, which argues that free speech doctrine and practice should be centered around courageous, other-oriented speech of vulnerable communities rather than reckless, self-centered speech of powerful groups, is expected in 2022.
A former Rhodes Scholar, Franks holds a Harvard J.D., and D.Phil. and M.Phil. degrees from Oxford, and is an instructor in Krav Maga.
About Michael Klein
Michael R. Klein, BBA ’63, JD ’66, is a double 'Cane, who has a longstanding tradition of commitment to his alma mater. In his early career, Klein taught at the law schools of Louisiana State University, George Washington University and the University of Virginia. In 1969 he joined the Washington DC based law firm, Wilmer Cutler & Pickering (now Wilmer Hale) from which he retired as a managing partner in 2005. In 1987 he cofounded Costar Group Inc. a NASDAQ listed fin-tech company where he continues to serve as Chairman of the board. He currently also serves as Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Tutor Perini Corporation, a NYSE publicly-held construction company. Among cultural activities, Klein is the Chairman of the Board of The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. and of the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. He has founded several non-profit public interest organizations on whose boards he has also served as chair, including The Sunlight Foundation, a non-profit public education organization which merged into the Berkman Klein Center on Internet and Society at Harvard University, The Gun Violence Archive and the Global Warming Mitigation Project.
According to Anthony Varona, who was Dean at the time of Franks' appointment, Klein is one of Miami Law's most distinguished alumni, having blazed trails in law practice, entrepreneurialism, and philanthropy. "Mr. Klein's long and demonstrated commitment to internet law and policy, and social justice, make the Klein Chair especially resonant with Professor Franks' achievements. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Klein is very enthusiastic about the bestowal of the Klein Chair upon Professor Franks,” he said.
Miami Law has 90 full-time faculty members and four endowed chairs.
Read more about Franks' investiture ceremony.
