California Western School of Law Welcomes Fred O. Smith Jr. as the Galinson Solomon Lecture Speaker

California Western School of Law was honored to welcome Fred O. Smith Jr., Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, as the featured speaker for the Galinson Solomon Lecture. 

Professor Smith presented “Buried Legacies: The Unequal Protection of the American Dead,” examining the legal and moral obligations owed to the dead, particularly those who experienced systemic oppression.  

Drawing on historical examples and legal doctrine, he challenged the assumption that harm ends at death, arguing instead that dignity, memory, and legacy can continue to be violated long after a person has passed. He further explored how societies make intentional choices about which histories are honored and preserved, noting that while the law provides certain protections for the dead, these protections have not been applied equally and have often excluded marginalized communities. 
  
The lecture highlighted that achieving a more just society requires not only acknowledging past harms but also reexamining the legal and cultural systems that shape memory and legacy. 
Thank you to Elaine Galinson, Herb Solomon, and the generous donors to the Galinson Solomon Endowed Fund for Equity and Justice for making this lecture series possible.