Jim Coleman

American attorney and law professor

Jim Coleman is a prominent law professor at Duke University School of Law. Here are some key details about his background and career:

Academic Position

James E. Coleman Jr. holds the position of John S. Bradway Professor of the Practice of Law at Duke University School of Law.1 2 He is also the Director of the Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility and Co-Director of the Wrongful Convictions Clinic at Duke Law.1 2

Education and Early Career

Coleman was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1946.2 He attended Harvard University for his undergraduate degree (A.B. 1970) and Columbia Law School for his law degree (J.D. 1974).1 2

After law school, Coleman spent 15 years in private practice in Washington D.C., including 12 years as a partner at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering.1 He also held various government positions early in his career, including roles at the Legal Services Corporation, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Department of Education.1

Notable Work

Coleman is nationally recognized for his work on:

Wrongful convictions and exonerations4
Death penalty reform and advocacy against capital punishment4
Civil rights and due process protections4

He has chaired committees related to wrongful convictions and the death penalty for organizations like the American Bar Association.1 At Duke, Coleman co-founded the Wrongful Convictions Clinic, which has secured exonerations for 10 clients who served decades in prison for crimes they didn't commit.4

Honors and Recognition

In 2022, Coleman was named the Lemkin Rule of Law Guardian by the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School for his career-long commitment to justice and due process.4 He has also received awards from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and American Bar Association for his civil rights and criminal justice work.3 5

Coleman is highly regarded as a teacher and mentor to law students and young lawyers, modeling ethical and courageous legal practice throughout his career.5 His expertise and advocacy have made him an influential voice in criminal justice reform efforts.