Ivy League University, Harvard, Files Lawsuit against Trump Administration; Presiding Judge Familiar with Both Parties
A Streetwise, Frank Judge Overseeing Harvard's Legal Bonanza
Judge Allison Dale Burroughs, the stern jurist managing Harvard University's legal scuffle with the Trump administration, boasts a robust legal background marked by her prowess in handling high-profile cases, including those involving both the Ivy League and the Oval Office.
With a grin and a quip, "95% of life is showing up," she strode into a Boston courtroom this week, where she's helming Harvard's high-stakes legal brawl over $2 billion in government funds on ice. The hearing was scheduled for a Zoom livestream, but a tech snafu delayed proceedings. Burroughs kept the crowd waiting for 15 minutes, acknowledging the 81 irate spectators who hankered for admission. Once the attorneys declared they were ready to roll, the hearing trudged forward sans-Zoom.
Harvard petitioned for a swift final verdict instead of an instant cash infusion, fearing that the $2 billion in federal grants and contracts critical for their research could evaporate. Their lawyers astutely requested that Burroughs be assigned to this case, pointing to her former role in a similar case concerning federal research funding brought forth by the Association of American Universities, which counts Harvard among its members.
CNN reported that renowned constitutional law professor at Harvard, Laurence Tribe, extolled Burroughs as a "brilliant jurist" who would offer a fair hearing to all contenders. Burroughs herself projected a sense of urgency, scheduling oral arguments for July 21. She provided no comment when reached by CNN, neither did the White House or Harvard University.
Resume to the BenchWhen working as a partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, a firm co-founded by former Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, President Barack Obama nominated Burroughs as a district court judge in the summer of 2014. A graduate of Middlebury College and the University of Pennsylvania, Burroughs kicked off her career as a waitress and congressional intern before clerking for Judge Norma Shapiro, the first female judge in Pennsylvania's Eastern District Third Circuit.
She spent the next 17 years as a US attorney in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, tackling emerging criminal organizations, drug offenders, economic crime, and technology-focused cases. Donald Sterling, former US attorney for the District of Massachusetts, commented that hiring Burroughs as an assistant US attorney years ago was a no-brainer, describing her as a star who balanced her candor with a sense of humor, and who was a diligent, ethical worker.
Academic ControversyThis isn't Burroughs' initial high-profile tangle with Harvard University. In 2019, as a federal judge, she upheld Harvard's admissions process in an affirmative action case, a decision which the US Supreme Court later overturned.
She held that while Harvard's admissions were not flawless, she would not "tear down an outstanding admissions program that passes constitutional muster, merely because it could do better." She voiced that race-conscious admissions "occupy an important spot in society, enabling colleges and universities to foster a diverse environment that bolsters learning, sharpens scholarship, and promotes mutual respect and understanding."
Tussles with the Trump AdministrationAs a federal district judge, Burroughs has posed hurdles for the Trump administration in the past.
While crowds of protesters massed at US airports where travelers were being detained under the 2017 travel ban on individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order halting the deportation of people from those countries. Boston Logan International Airport functions as a sanctuary for many of these displaced families.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Burroughs oversaw a case filed by Harvard and MIT against the Trump administration, which insisted that international students at online-only schools must vacate the United States. The government reversed the policy before a ruling was passed.
Two weeks ago, Burroughs served yet another temporary restraining order on behalf of the Association of American Universities, blocking Department of Energy cuts to federal research funding.
CNN's Kara Scannell, Nicki Brown, Joan Biskupic, Andy Rose, and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.
Background Check:Burroughs was nominated by President Obama in 2014. With a career spanning 17 years as a US Attorney, she became known for her unwavering approach to law enforcement. Colleagues commend her for her diligence, integrity, and intelligence.
Notable Cases:1. Harvard Affirmative Action Case: Burroughs presided over a notable affirmative action case involving Harvard University, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court.2. Trump Administration Cases: - Temporary Restraining Order Against the 2017 Travel Ban: She issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's travel ban in 2017. - International Students Case During the Pandemic: Judge Burroughs handled a crucial case concerning international students during the COVID-19 pandemic.3. Current Case: Burroughs is currently overseeing Harvard University's lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding $2 billion in frozen federal funds.
Judge Burroughs' involvement in these significant cases underscores her perceived stance as a key figure in the junction of law, education, and government policy matters.
- Burroughs' handling of high-profile cases extends beyond Harvard University and the Oval Office, evidenced by her role in a case involving the Association of American Universities.
- During the hearing for Harvard's legal brawl over $2 billion in government funds, Burroughs demonstrated her ability to balance urgency with fairness, scheduling oral arguments for July 21.
- Burroughs' tenure as a US attorney saw her tackling various cases, including those involving emerging criminal organizations, drug offenders, economic crime, and technology-focused cases.
- Beyond her legal work, Burroughs is known for her lifelong learning and skills training, as evidenced by her degrees from Middlebury College and the University of Pennsylvania, and her time as a congressional intern.
- Burroughs' rulings have not been without controversy, such as her upholding of Harvard's admissions process in an affirmative action case, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
- In response to political and policy matters, Burroughs has posed hurdles for the Trump administration, issuing temporary restraining orders against the 2017 travel ban and Department of Energy cuts to federal research funding.
