The Katharine & George Alexander Law Prize

The first Katharine & George Alexander Law Prize was presented in March 2008 and will be awarded annually thereafter. This award has been made possible through the generosity of Katharine & George Alexander to bring recognition to lawyers who have used their legal careers to help alleviate injustice and inequity. The hope is that recognition of such individuals will improve the image of lawyers around the world.

The winner receives a substantial cash award to be used as the he or she chooses. The winner will be brought to Santa Clara University to be honored at a ceremony in March. The winner will also be invited to participate in lectures and classes and may choose to serve as a teacher, mentor and scholar for a limited period at Santa Clara Law.

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2013 Award Winner: Chen Guangcheng

Chen was born on November 12, 1971, in Shandong Province in China. A high fever left him blind in infancy. He grew up in great poverty, and to enrich his life he created his “own world of experiences” from what he learned in nature. A self-taught barefoot lawyer, he hoped to defend himself and help others fight for civil rights in the China most of the world does not see: the impoverished villages outside of the huge modern cities.

He has been politically active for more than twenty years and in that time has spoken out against and fought the government on many of their policies, especially those regarding the implementation of constitutional rule and rule of law.

After bringing a lawsuit directed at abuse related to China’s punitive one-child policy – which often results in forced abortions and sterilizations– he was arrested on trumped-up charges. After a trial, during which he was denied access to his legal counsel, he was convicted and sentenced to jail in 2006. Immediately after being released in September 2010, he was again placed under illegal detention.

He escaped in April 2012 and made his way to Beijing where he sought refuge and asked for the protection of his family. His escape shone an international media spotlight on his cause and also created tension between the United States and China. Ultimately he was granted permission by the Chinese government to leave for his studies abroad.

As a result of his tireless advocacy, he has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, the 2012 Lantos Human Rights Prize, and the 2012 Human Rights Award from Human Rights First. In 2006 Chen was named by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most 100 influential people. He now lives with his wife and two children in New York City.

SCU Press Release about Chen Guangcheng receiving the Alexander Prize

San Jose Mercury News article about Chen Guangcheng 

Read an NPR article about Chen Guangcheng

New York Times opinion piece by Chen Guangcheng

Chinese language TVBUSA piece on Chen Guangcheng

Katharine & George Alexander

Katharine Alexander practiced law for 25 years as a public defender for Santa Clara County and taught law courses for several years at San Jose State University.

George Alexander is dean emeritus and served as professor of law at Santa Clara University for 34 years and as dean of its School of Law for 15 years.

Both Katharine and George have dedicated their lives to instilling in students and lawyers a commitment to justice. Their service to humanity serves as a model for other lawyers.

Selection Committee

Kyle Graham
Assistant Professor of Law, Santa Clara Law

Cynthia Mertens
Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Santa Clara Law

Donald J. Polden
Dean and Professor of Law, Santa Clara Law

Margaret Russell
Professor of Law, Santa Clara Law

Alan Scheflin
Professor of Law, Santa Clara Law

Beth Van Schaack
Professor of Law, Santa Clara Law

Tseming Yang
Professor of Law, Santa Clara Law

Nominees must be lawyers who have used their skill, knowledge and abilities in the field of law to correct injustice. The nominees must be individuals who are committed in both heart and mind to alleviating injustice and inequity.

Selection criteria may include factors such as the:

• Innovative nature of the programs or other activities undertaken
• Courage and self-sacrifice required
• Sustainability of the programs the nominee has implemented
• Number of people benefited

Nomination Form