A “brilliant scholar,” “pioneer”, and “giant in her field,” as described by her former BC Law colleagues, retired professor Cynthia Lichtenstein passed away in November at the age of ninety. She served as a faculty member for thirty years, from 1971-2001. “Always a true colleague, and a true friend, Cynthia never rested on her laurels, but remained a major international force professionally until her final days,” noted Dan Coquillette, who served as dean during many of Cynthia’s years at BC Law.
Upon her retirement, she became a distinguished visiting professor at George Washington University Law School and a visiting professor at Brooklyn Law School, while occasionally teaching a seminar in international financial law at BC Law.
A renowned specialist in international banking and transactions, Lichtenstein lectured in numerous cities around the world including London, Paris, Buenos Aires, and Sydney. In addition to significant involvement with a major New York law firm over the years, she served briefly with the European Economic Community.
Among her many contributions to public and private international law, Lichtenstein served as the president of the International Law Association (American Branch) from 1986 to 1992, an officer of the American Society of International Law, and a member of the Board of Editors of the American Journal of International Law from 1982 to 1991.
She was an honorary editor of the American Journal of International Law and treasurer of the International Law Students Association which administers the Jessup Competition, the international law moot court competition with participants from over eighty countries. She also served as a vice-chair of the International Law Association.
Lichtenstein graduated magna cum laude from Radcliffe College and magna cum laude from Yale Law School. She earned a master’s degree in comparative law from the University of Chicago Law School.
When word of Lichtenstein’s passing circulated at BC Law School, a number of colleagues shared memories of her. Here is a sampling of those responses:
Daniel Coquillette, J. Donald Monan, SJ, University Professor Emeritus: Cynthia was a true pioneer, a giant in her field and a great teacher. Countless students saw her as a role model, but her inspiration to our women students was really incalculable. Always a true colleague, and a true friend, Cynthia never resented on her laurels, but remained a major international force professionally until her final days.
Mark Spiegel, Professor Emeritus: She was one of the faculty who was most supportive of our efforts in strengthening our clinical programs. Despite her time at a “prestigious” New York law firm and work in more traditional academic fields, she did not see clinical education and poverty law as inferior, but as essential parts of a complete legal education … When I became director of [the BC Law London Program] in 2001, I realized the extent of Cynthia’s influence and reputation. Everywhere I went in London folks lauded Cynthia. This ranged from individuals at public regulatory institutions such as the Financial Services Authority, partners at law firms, and members of the King’s College faculty.
David Wirth, Professor & Dean’s Distinguished Scholar: Cynthia was very welcoming to me when I did a year-long visit before joining the permanent faculty. She would regale me with stories of BC Law—-an important introduction to our institutional culture —as well as her own life and career, which was pathbreaking … We ended up going to the symphony together, where I received a first-hand demonstration of Boston driving. “Unless you keep moving, you’re toast!” she observed. Which could also be said about her overall philosophy of life … She seemed to carry on no matter what, consistently overcoming impediments such as a stroke that affected her speech, but not her indomitable will to communicate.”
Dan Kanstroom, Professor and Faculty Director, Rappaport Center & Dean’s Distinguished Scholar: Cynthia was a generous, extremely helpful reader of some of my early, rather unfocused, attempts at scholarship when I first started teaching at BC, many years ago. She was an extraordinarily gifted scholar … very well-connected and deeply respected in many fields of law … I will always be most grateful for her mentorship.
Mark Brodin, Professor Michael and Helen Lee Distinguished Scholar: Cynthia was a force of nature in our community, an absolutely brilliant scholar, teacher, and wonderful colleague … The hardest assignment Dean Dan [Coquillette] ever gave me arose when the University decided to repaint and recarpet the offices in Cynthia’s wing … First, I had to find her amid the obstacle course, but I followed her voice and located her behind the desk. I spoke over the file cabinets. “Cynthia, the movers are coming tomorrow.” “I don’t think so Mark.” We proceeded to converse that way for quite a while, in an immovable standoff … Cynthia retired years later and left the only office at the school that had its original paint and carpet.
Mary Bilder, Founders Professor of Law: Cynthia was a wonderful support to the younger women on the faculty in 1994 when I was hired. She had a marvelous sense of humor and was always encouraging…. On my first day of teaching class, I was really nervous … She said, “Don’t be, you’ll do great … I walked into the class, turned around and walked out, walked into the bathroom, threw up, and then walked back in and was fine.” Nothing could have made me feel better than that!
Ray Madoff, Professor: I share Mary [Bilder’s] appreciation of Cynthia as a great source of support and encouragement to us as the “new,” and at the time still pretty few, women on the faculty. One image that I cannot get out of my mind was the way that Cynthia would make an invariably astute point in a faculty meeting and then—seemingly out of the blue—catch my eye and give an affirming nod of her head (whether to emphasize her own point or encourage me to add my own I never could tell, but it was affecting nonetheless!).
Alfred Yen, Professor & Dean’s Distinguished Scholar: I too have many fond memories of Cynthia, especially the warmth she showed me as a new professor at the school … I have very vivid memories of her office! I will always remember the first time I sat in her office for a conversation, and the close proximity of all the furniture to the door!
Robert Bloom, Professor & Deans Distinguished Scholar: Cynthia was a character. She always marched to her own drummer. I will always remember her bright yellow rubber boots which she wore rain or shine. She was always kind and thoughtful and, most importantly, courageous as her strong shoulders led the way to women law teachers.
Frank Garcia, Professor & Dean’s Distinguished Scholar: It was [Cynthia’s] retirement that opened the door to my invitation to come to BC Law, and she could not have been more gracious in her welcome. One of the first things I was asked to do, was write an essay about her work… I could not have been more pleased when, at the end of the address, she turned to me and just said “you get me.” It was reassuring to a young scholar “replacing” an esteemed senior colleague (as if), to be responded to so warmly. That was Cynthia, always easing the way for the next generation.
Patricia McCoy, Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor of Law: Many years ago, when I was teaching on another faculty, Cynthia contacted me out of the blue simply to introduce herself to me as a junior, female law professor in her field of banking law … Still, I had known of and admired her from afar as a giant in the field. From that time when she generously reached out, she always cheered me on and made me feel welcome and valued … When BC made the decision to hire me, she reached out once more to express her delight. I will never forget that and her spirit lives on, in all of us who remember her.
Judith McMorrow, Professor Emerita: Cynthia Lichtenstein was one of the first women I met when joining the BC Law School faculty in 1985. She was incredibly gracious and welcoming and encouraged me to follow my interests. She had a deep passion for the London Program, which she co-founded with John Flackett. She said that the time she spent on the London program with John and Joanne Flackett and her beloved husband Charles were among the happiest times of her life … [The program, now the Dublin Program] still carries the DNA that Cynthia helped create. We have a strong international program in part because of her passion and talent for creating opportunities for students.