David B. Wilkins

David B. Wilkins is the Lester Kissel Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Global Initiatives on the Legal Profession at Harvard Law School. He directs the Center on the Legal Profession and holds affiliations with the American Bar Foundation and Harvard's Safra Center for Ethics. His research focuses on globalization's impact on legal systems, corporate legal ecosystems in emerging economies, and diversity in the legal profession. Notable projects include studies on the global legal market, the careers of lawyers (After the JD study), and Black representation in corporate law firms. Wilkins teaches courses on legal ethics and leadership, co-founded Harvard’s Executive Education Program, and has authored over 80 articles. He has received prestigious awards, including an honorary doctorate from Stockholm University and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

His recent scholarship includes analyses of corporate legal structures in India, Brazil, and China, as well as biographical work on legal pioneers like Julian Blackshear Jr. Wilkins frequently lectures globally and advises on legal education reform. He leads interdisciplinary teams researching legal profession dynamics and collaborates with institutions worldwide, emphasizing the intersection of law, business, and societal change.