Patrick, who left the Justice Department last year to become a partner in the Hartford, Conn.-based law firm of Day, Berry & Howard, will teach "Emerging Issues in Civil Rights Law."
"I am delighted that Deval Patrick has joined our adjunct faculty," Soifer said. "As both a private lawyer and a government official, he has played an important role in advancing the civil rights agenda in this country. Deval brings a tremendous depth of experience in this subject area to our students and to his colleagues on the faculty."
Patrick served as assistant attorney general for civil rights during most of President Clinton's first term. He was a leader in the administration's examination of Affirmative Action and in implementing a new policy last year.
He also successfully defended challenges to congressional districts under the Voting Rights Act, and is credited with uncovering and combating discrimination in banks' lending policies.
Patrick will address this year's Law School graduates at their Commencement Exercises on May 25.
-Michael Seele