Ralph Martin ’78 to Deliver Northeastern Law Commencement Address

04.29.25 — Ralph C. Martin II ’78, a prominent trial lawyer, treasured public servant and principled advocate for justice, will deliver Northeastern University School of Law’s commencement address on Friday, May 2, 2025. The first elected Black district attorney for Suffolk County (1992–2002), Martin worked with city, state and federal officials, and across political party lines to make Boston one of the safest cities in the country and institute criminal justice reform.

Throughout his career, Martin has taken a collaborative approach to shaping public policy, law, civic life and higher education. His contributions have been widely recognized. He has received the Anti-Defamation League’s Civil Rights Award, the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award and an honorary doctorate from Northeastern. He has also been named to the lists of Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers in Massachusetts.

Today, Martin serves as a partner at Prince Lobel Tye, where he advises clients in business litigation, white-collar defense and internal investigations. Prior to joining Prince Lobel Tye in 2022, Martin served on Northeastern University's eight-member senior leadership team for 11 years. As senior vice president and general counsel, he oversaw the university’s legal, compliance, risk, labor, public safety and policing, and international risk functions during a period of significant global expansion. Martin’s distinguished career also includes serving as managing partner of the Boston office of Bingham McCutchen and as managing principal of Bingham Consulting, where he advised companies facing multi-state attorney general investigations.

“Ralph Martin’s commitment to public service exemplifies this law school’s mission,” said Dean James Hackney. “His career has been defined by a profound commitment to his community and to our justice system. I am sure our graduating class will benefit from his wisdom, good humor and unshakeable belief in the rule of law.”

Martin serves on the board of Boston Children’s Hospital and previously served on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. He has also chaired The Partnership, a New England organization focused on attracting, retaining and developing professionals of color at all levels of leadership, and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Martin earned his law degree from Northeastern University School of Law and his bachelor's degree from Brandeis University.

For those family members and friends who are unable to attend commencement, the School of Law is pleased to offer a live video stream of the ceremony beginning at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Northeastern Law Commencement Speakers: 

HON. DAVID SUTHERLAND NELSON, 1976
HON. HUGH H. BOWNES, 1977
HON. MARGARET A. BURNHAM, 1978
THOMAS J. O’TOOLE, 1978
HON. A. LEON HIGGINBOTHAM JR., 1979
PAUL BREST, 1980
HON. BENJAMIN KAPLAN, 1981
HON. DAVID L. BAZELON, 1982
HON. RAMSEY CLARK, 1983
HON. SHIRLEY ANITA ST. HILL CHISHOLM, 1984
ARTHUR KINOY, 1985
HELEN CALDICOTT, 1986
ANTHONY LEWIS, 1987
JOHN G. HEALEY, 1988
ELAINE JONES, 1989
FAYE WATTLETON, 1990
DERRICK BELL, 1991
NINA TOTENBERG, 1992
HON. BARNEY FRANK, 1993
LANI GUINIER, 1994
NAT HENTOFF, 1995
HON. A. LEON HIGGINBOTHAM JR., 1996
PATRICIA J. WILLIAMS, 1997
HON. EDWARD M. KENNEDY, 1998
HON. NANCY GERTNER, 1999
SISTER HELEN PREJEAN, CSJ, 2000
NATHANIEL RAPHAEL JONES, 2001
DEVAL L. PATRICK, 2002
HON. MARGARET HILARY MARSHALL, 2003
STEPHEN B. BRIGHT, 2004
JULIUS L. CHAMBERS, 2005
HON. CHIEF JUSTICE PIUS NKONZO LANGA, 2006
HON. NONNIE S. BURNES, 2007
HON. STEPHEN G. BREYER, 2008
STEPHEN HOWES OLESKEY, 2009
HAROLD HONGJU KOH, 2010
RASHIDA MANJOO, 2011
JACQUELINE A. BERRIEN, 2012
HON. MARGARET WOOD HASSAN, 2013
RANDALL L. KENNEDY, 2014
MAURA HEALEY, 2015
TRACEY L. MCCAIN, 2016
CECILE RICHARDS, 2017
RICHARD W. PAINTER, 2018
JUDY PERRY MARTINEZ, 2019
NABIHA SYED, 2021
HON. VICTORIA A. ROBERTS, 2022
COREY E. THOMAS, 2023
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM “MO” COWAN ’94, 2024