PILC: 29th Annual Attorney General Robert Abrams Public Service Lecture

Date: Monday, September 8th
Time: Lecture 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Reception 7:00–7:30 p.m.
Location: Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge | 40 Washington Square South

Please join PILC for the Twenty-Ninth Annual Attorney General Robert Abrams Public Service Lecture. Each year, a prominent public figure who has performed exemplary public service addresses the students, faculty, alumni, and friends of New York University School of Law. This year’s speaker is Massachusetts' Attorney General, Andrea Joy Campbell (biography below). 

RSVP Required for all In-person or Virtual Attendees: bit.ly/abrams2025
If you have any questions, please email pilc.info@nyu.edu

Attorney General Campbell's Biography:

On January 18, 2023, Andrea Joy Campbell was sworn in as the 45th Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, pledging to build economic stability, prioritize children's mental health, stop cycles of incarceration and violence, and ensure equitable access to the AG’s Office, regardless of zip code, language, or ability.

Raised in Roxbury, Andrea’s early life was shaped by instability. Her mother died in a car accident while visiting her father in prison when Andrea was just eight months old. She and her brothers lived with relatives and in foster care until reuniting with their father when she was eight.

Her family relied on public housing and food assistance while her grandmother battled alcoholism. Both of her brothers cycled through the prison system, and she tragically lost her twin brother, Andre, who died in custody as a pre-trial detainee.

Despite these challenges, Andrea persevered. With support from relatives, teachers, and her community, she graduated from Boston Latin School, then earned degrees from Princeton University and UCLA Law School.

She began her legal career defending children with disabilities at the EdLaw Project, later practicing at Proskauer LLP and serving as General Counsel at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. She also worked as legal counsel to Governor Deval Patrick, advancing equity across education and transportation.

In 2015, Andrea became the first woman to represent District 4 on the Boston City Council. In 2018, she was elected Council President—the first Black woman to hold the role.