Nancy Gertner

Nancy Gertner is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Law School, where she teaches Criminal Law, Sentencing, Neuroscience and the Law, and Gender Context and Judging. She previously served as a U.S. District Judge in Massachusetts from 1994 to 2011, appointed by President Bill Clinton. Her research focuses on sentencing disparity, jury selection, civil rights, and women's rights. She has authored influential books like In Defense of Women and The Law of Juries, and her recent publications include analyses of gender in sentencing and criminal justice reform.

• Education: B.A. Political Science (Barnard College, 1967); M.A. Political Science (Yale University, 1971); J.D. (Yale Law School, 1971).
• Awards: Thurgood Marshall Award (2008), Margaret Brent Award (2014), Hennessey Award (2011), and multiple honorary degrees.
• Public Engagement: Keynote speaker on civil rights, criminal justice, and international law; frequent media contributor (e.g., Anderson Cooper 360).

Her work emphasizes systemic inequities, particularly in sentencing and women’s legal representation. She actively consults on civil rights cases and contributes to decarceration initiatives through academic and public advocacy.