KSG names professorship for Daniel Paul

The John F. Kennedy School of Government (KSG) has announced the establishment of the Daniel Paul Professor of Government. The professor will focus on regional, state, and municipal governance, as well as public policy.

The Paul Professor honors the life and legacy of Daniel Paul ’46, L.L.B. ’48, M.P.A. ’49. Paul is also a former member of the Harvard Board of Overseers, a member of the Kennedy School Visiting Committee and the Taubman Center Advisory Board, and a distinguished attorney.

Regarding the Paul Professor, KSG Dean Joseph S. Nye Jr. stated, “The Kennedy School is honored to establish the Daniel Paul Professor of Government. The Paul Professor will advance the Kennedy School’s mission to train leaders and solve critical policy challenges, and will serve as a permanent legacy for teaching, research, and outreach about public leadership. Dan Paul’s support of the Kennedy School has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact. We are grateful for his involvement, friendship, and vision.”

The Paul chair will allow the Kennedy School to recruit to its faculty a world-class scholar who is substantively focused on the topic of government. The Paul Professor will be defined broadly so that the position has maximum relevance to the key priorities of the dean of the Kennedy School as well as to critical topics of concern to all levels of governance, including federal, regional, state, or municipal governance, and to public policy. As such, it will be among the most prestigious chairs at the Kennedy School. Possible areas of inquiry will include but not be limited to substantive topics such as civic engagement; the future of governance; federalism; public leadership at the federal, regional and/or state level; and others.

Alan Altshuler, the Ruth and Frank Stanton Professor in Urban Policy and Planning and Director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government, described Paul as “a major figure in the development of regional government in the Miami area.” Altshuler added that, “Dan is a champion of good government and has been a pillar of strength to the Taubman Center. He has been one of the most actively engaged board members since the founding of the Taubman Center 13 years ago.”

Paul, an attorney, is currently senior counsel at the Miami law firm of Jorden Burt. Best known in Miami as the former First Amendment lawyer for The Miami Herald, Paul’s clients have included The New York Times, NBC, and The Wall Street Journal.

In 1957, Paul drafted the original Dade County Metropolitan Charter and also drafted the Dade County Citizens’ Bill of Rights. He has been involved in many civic projects ranging from preserving parks to sponsoring an amendment to the city of Miami Charter requiring all buildings be sited at least 50 feet back from the waterfront. In the late 1960s, Paul represented the National Audubon Society to prevent construction of a jetport adjoining Everglades National Park.