Virginia Leary

Professor Leary was one of the foremost international lawyers of her generation and a pioneering figure for women in international law. She was widely respected as an authority in the area of international labor rights and human rights. Her scholarship in the area of economic and social rights, including the right to health as well as on globalization and human rights, was path breaking. She was a passionate advocate, especially for the rights of workers, women, and children. She worked for the International Labour Organization and was a founding member of the International Council for Human Rights Policy in Geneva as well as several non-governmental organizations throughout her distinguished career. She also served as Vice-President and member of the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law, which honored her last year at its annual meeting with the Goler T. Butcher Medal for her outstanding contribution to human rights. Prior to joining the faculty at Hastings, she was the State University of New York Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Buffalo Law School.

Professor Leary was a beloved teacher and kind mentor to generations of students and a wonderful and supportive colleague, whose enormous contribution to legal scholarship and human rights will long endure.