Fellowship Established in Honor of Justice Aharon Barak

Yale Law School announced the creation of the Aharon Barak Fellowship for scholars working in constitutionalism and the rule of law. 

Established through a small private foundation at the recommendation of board members Barbara Goren ’82 and David Rosen ’69, the fellowship honors Israeli lawyer and jurist Aharon Barak who served as president of the Supreme Court of Israel from 1995 to 2006, has been a participant in the Global Constitutionalism Seminar for decades, and has been a visiting professor of law at the Law School, most recently in fall 2017.

“This gift honors Yale Law School and enhances its deepest values — a thoughtful, understanding, humane conception of law and its role,” said Rosen.

“At this time in history, it’s difficult to feel we can influence the course of events. This is one way we can further our values — and the values that guide Yale Law School,” said Goren.

Bruce Swartz ’79, a visiting lecturer in law at Yale Law School, has been named as the inaugural Aharon Barak Fellow. Swartz currently co-teaches the Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic with Harold Hongju Koh and Sonia Mittal ’13. In addition to his roles at the Law School, Swartz served as deputy assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice for 25 years, was the Department’s counselor for international affairs, and is currently a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He has received numerous awards for his government service, including the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award, the Department of Justice’s Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity, the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, and the Criminal Division’s Henry R. Petersen Memorial Award, and is a member of the Bars of New York, the District of Columbia, and England and Wales.