It is my annual tradition to give thanks to a person to whom I owe debts of gratitude on Thanksgiving Day. This year, I want to thank Richard Fallon, who was a teacher, interlocutor, mentor, and friend for fifty years.
Dick was my Federal Courts teacher at Harvard Law School. He was an extraordinary teacher–even though it was his first time teaching an extraordinarily difficult course. Fallon was learned and supremely organized, patient and kind. A great and inspiring teacher, who have sought to emulate.
Dick was a mentor for years, providing wise and helpful advice as I traversed by early years in the legal academy. His advice was always spot on–and I regret that I sometimes failed to heed his advice.
Dick was an important interlocutor. He and I disagreed about textualism and originalism. Dick’s questions and criticisms were unfailingly both charitable and incisive–an all-to-rare combination. My thinking was always improved by his perceptive comments. Perhaps to Dick’s dismay, I think he has played a major role in strengthening originalism and textualism–as I and others have worked to overcome his objections and answer his questions.
Dick was a friend. I always looked forward to our meetings at conferences and other events. Although we had few opportunities for “hang out” time, I always enjoyed our time together.
Thank you, Richard Fallon!