About
Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. is a civil rights, and criminal defense lawyer, trial advocate, and Harvard Law School professor. He represents clients in serious criminal cases, complex investigations, white-collar matters, wrongful conviction litigation, and civil claims. He has secured acquittals in nationally prominent prosecutions and has represented families in civil rights matters. His work combines courtroom strategy, criminal procedure knowledge, and sustained advocacy for clients facing significant legal consequences nationwide.
Ronald earned his B.A. from Morehouse College in 1989, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1994, where he served as president of the Black Law Students Association and as an editor of a law journal. He is admitted in Georgia and the District of Columbia. His legal training supports his work in criminal defense, civil rights litigation, trial advocacy, and legal education work.
Ronald previously served as director of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia and practiced at two major Washington, DC law firms. He later joined the faculties of Yale Law School and Harvard Law School, combining teaching with active litigation. He has handled murder prosecutions, securities fraud cases, mortgage-backed securities matters, and wrongful death claims. His representation regularly involves complex evidence, high-stakes trials, and constitutional or procedural issues.
Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. serves as the Jesse Climenko Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and directs its Trial Advocacy Workshop. He previously led Harvard’s Criminal Justice Institute and has contributed to criminal justice reform and conviction integrity initiatives. He also has advised on public policy and international legal matters. His career reflects sustained work in courtroom advocacy, criminal justice, legal education, and representation of underserved communities nationally.
Law Office Affiliations
- Jesse Climenko Clinical Professor of Law, Harvard Law School
- Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
- Member, State Bar of Georgia
- Member, Committee for Public Counsel Services
- Governing Trustee, The Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Licensed State
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
Education
- Harvard University
Juris Doctor (JD) - Morehouse College
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Awards & Badges
