Civil rights advocate receives Phillips Award

Attorney and longtime Duke Law School professor James E. Coleman ’66; P’16 was honored this week with the 2024 John and Elizabeth Phillips Award, which recognizes an Exonian who has contributed significantly to the welfare of community, country or humanity. Sam Brown ’92, trustee and president of Exeter’s General Alumni Association, presented Coleman with the award in assembly Friday.

“As an attorney, law professor and advocate for civil and constitutional rights, you have dedicated your life’s work to pursuing justice and fair treatment for everyone under the law,” Brown said, reading from the award citation. “You have led nationally recognized efforts on behalf of death penalty reform and the wrongfully convicted and have mentored and inspired a new generation of lawyers with what one longtime friend calls your distinctive blend of ‘passion and principle.’”

In his acceptance remarks, Coleman said he was “humbled and grateful beyond adequate words” to be receiving the John and Elizabeth Phillips Award. He spoke of the award’s first recipient, Burke Marshall ’40, who served as assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s civil rights division during the administration of President John F. Kennedy. “For me to be associated with Burke Marshall through Exeter and this award has special meaning,” Coleman said.