About Gary Steven
Gary Steven Lawson is a distinguished legal scholar and educator based in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1983, where he developed a strong foundation in legal principles. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Claremont Men's College in 1980. These academic achievements set the stage for a remarkable career in law and academia. After earning his law degree, Lawson began his legal career as an associate at Ferguson & Burdell in Seattle, Washington, from August 1983 to June 1984. This initial experience provided him with practical insights into the legal profession.
Following his time in private practice, he clerked for Judge Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from August 1984 to September 1985. This prestigious clerkship allowed him to work closely with one of the most influential jurists in American history, further shaping his legal perspective. In October 1985, Lawson joined the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice as an Attorney-Adviser, where he served until September 1986. This role involved providing legal advice on significant issues affecting the federal government.
In 1991, he began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Law. His promotion to Associate Professor in 1994 and then to Professor in 2000 underscored his growing influence in the field. In 2012, he was appointed the Philip S. Beck Professor of Law, and in 2022, he received the honor of being named a William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor, the highest faculty recognition at the university. Throughout his tenure at Boston University, Lawson has made substantial contributions to legal scholarship. He has authored or co-authored nine editions of a textbook on administrative law and a textbook on constitutional law, along with five university press books and over one hundred scholarly articles.
His influential works have been cited in more than twenty opinions of United States Supreme Court justices, demonstrating his impact on legal thought and practice. In 2024, Lawson transitioned to the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he holds the title of Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor of Law. He continues to contribute to the field of administrative law through his teaching and publications. While there is no publicly available information indicating that Professor Lawson is currently licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, his professional focus has remained primarily on academia and legal scholarship, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in legal education.
