J. Kelly Strader
Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law Emeritus
B.A., high honors, Government and History, 1978, College of William and Mary; M.I.A., International Affairs (Economics), 1980, Columbia University; J.D., 1983, University of Virginia; Member, New York State Bar
J. Kelly Strader has an extensive litigation background. Early in his career, he was associated with the law firm of Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, et al., in New York City where he focused on white collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation in areas including securities fraud, RICO, tax fraud, contracts, employer-employee relations, corporations, and Bill of Rights and fourteenth amendment issues. He particularly enjoys "the personal and tactical aspects of criminal defense." He has produced numerous publications in fields including criminal law; white collar crime; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, and HIV/AIDS.
"[I am] inspired by the rich diversity of the students...the incredible range of backgrounds that they bring to the classroom—their professional experience, life experience, human experience."
Professor Strader began teaching law as an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University School of Law. In 1991, he was appointed to the faculty at Southwestern. He has served as faculty advisor to the law school's Trial Advocacy Honors Program and OUTLaw, the LGBT law students association. In 2004, he was named the Irving D. and Florence Rosenberg Professor of Law, and in 2005, he was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Professor Strader has spoken at conferences on issues concerning criminal law, white collar crime, and LGBT rights. He is the author of a white collar crime survey and reference text and co-author of a white collar crime textbook, both of which are widely used at law schools around the country.
Professor Strader's efforts on behalf of the community and a variety of organizations have been focused on criminal law and gay rights issues. He has chaired the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) Subcommittee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Issues is past chair of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Committee, and has been a featured speaker on LGBT rights issues at LSAC, AALS, and National Lesbian & Gay Law Association/American Bar Association-sponsored conferences. Professor Strader is an active member of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Los Angeles and has written and lectured about legal issues relating to HIV/AIDS. He has also assisted the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in litigation related to gay rights.
Selected Achievements
Association of American Law School's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Committee (Member and Past Chair)
Law School Admission Council’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues Subcommittee (Member and Past Chair)