Thomas McSweeney of William & Mary Law School Elected to the American Law Institute
On December 20, the American Law Institute (ALI) announced newly elected members, including Thomas J. McSweeney, Professor of Law at William & Mary Law School.
As a specialist in legal history, McSweeney’s research focuses on the early history of the Common Law. His scholarship examines the ways the judges and lawyers of the 13th century taught and learned the law, particularly the law of property.
His book, Priests of the Law: Roman Law and the Making of the Common Law’s First Professionals (Oxford University Press 2019), which was awarded an honorable mention for the Selden Society’s David Yale Prize for an “outstanding contribution to the history of the law of England and Wales,” is about the Bracton treatise and its authors. It examines the ways in which the justices who wrote Bracton modelled their practices on those of the jurists of Roman law to make the case that the English common law was part of a pan-European legal culture.
McSweeney is also a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the board of directors of the Ames Foundation, which funds research in legal history. In November 2021, he began a five-year term as an editor for the American Society for Legal History’s book series, Studies in Legal History, at Cambridge University Press.
ALI members bring their expertise to ALI’s work of clarifying the law through Restatements, Principles, and Model Codes.
“The election of new members is a proud tradition at ALI, and this class continues that legacy with distinction,” said ALI President David F. Levi. “Our newest members are some of the most accomplished lawyers, judges, and academics in their fields, who I am sure will help shape not only the future of the ALI but also the legal landscape at large. Bringing in fresh perspectives and innovative ideas is vital to the Institute as we tackle the complexities of modern law. I am confident that their contributions will further our mission in meaningful and lasting ways.”
McSweeney joins a number of full-time William & Mary faculty who serve as members of ALI. They include Kami Chavis, Aaron-Andrew Bruhl, Jeffrey Bellin, Rebecca Green, Vivian Hamilton, Nathan Oman, James Y. Stern, and Dean A. Benjamin Spencer.
Visit the Newly Elected Members Page to view the full list of new members.