Robert Proctor, Clinical Instructor
Criminal Justice Institute
This is my third academic year teaching at Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute (CJI).
My legal interests include criminal law and procedure, indigent defense representation, street law, and civil rights. At CJI, under the supervision of four clinical instructors including myself, our students represent indigent defendants charged with misdemeanors and felonies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Clinical Instructors also provide consultation and representation to people who contact us for legal assistance locally and nationally. We represent everyone from Harvard students charged with crimes or under investigation to people who have been deported because of a criminal conviction.
Currently, our clinic is in full swing and I am overseeing approximately 50 criminal cases scheduled for substantive motion hearing or trial in the next two months. On the research and writing front, I am outlining a paper on integrating critical legal studies and pedagogy with clinical legal education.
A few months ago, with the help of Boston College Law School’s Post Deportation and Human Rights Project, we successfully represented a client whose conviction was vacated, enabling him to return to the U.S. and reunite with his family. It was a long journey and I am still on could nine.
I work with amazing people at CJI. Under the strong leadership of Professor Ron Sullivan and Deputy Director Dehlia Umunna, we strive to maintain positive energy and a supportive workplace for the students to better serve our clients. My colleagues and students are intelligent and highly motivated and truly want to improve the world. The students are passionate about providing zealous advocacy for our most vulnerable citizens, and are easy to teach. It is very inspiring, yet humbling for me to have the opportunity to work closely with such committed and fine people on a daily basis.
When I am not working I try to spend as much time as I can with my three beautiful daughters. I love any kind of physical activity whether it is working out at the gym, running outdoors, or playing basketball. I am very competitive. One of my goals is to compete in a tough mudder competition. I also love cooking and I enjoy rolling up my sleeves and taking on little projects around the house which usually require me to hire a professional to fix later.