Law Prof Who Joined Weinstein Defense Team Under Fire

Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. is an accomplished defense attorney, a Harvard Law professor and director of Harvard’s criminal-law clinic, but his decision to join Harvey Weinstein’s defense team has caused a firestorm on campus. According to the Harvard Crimson, vandals spray-painted the doors of his residence, and protesters assembled to publicly show their displeasure. A Change.org petition started by a Harvard student reads: Do you really want to one day accept your Diploma from someone who for whatever reason, professional or personal, believes it is okay to defend such a prominent figure at the center of the #MeToo movement? But Sullivan has many defenders, including a former student and Harvard law graduate who was quoted in the Boston Globe. She said Sullivan advocated for her personally, encouraged her to pursue an assault charge and offered to handle her case pro bono. He has done the same for other women at Harvard, she said, and noted that in law school he was known for encouraging students to practice both sides, prosecution and defense. “It’s completely flawed to suggest that attorneys can’t step into and out of roles and representations and keep them separate,” said the woman, who went on to become a sex crimes prosecutor.