Cambridge, Massachusetts — Kannon K. Shanmugam, a distinguished appellate attorney with notable Republican affiliations, has been appointed to the Harvard Corporation, effective July 1. The announcement was made on Thursday by the University, confirming his election by the Corporation and subsequent approval by the Board of Overseers.
Shanmugam will take over the position from Theodore V. Wells Jr., who has served for over 12 years. He will join biochemist Richard P. Lifton as a new member of the Corporation this summer.
Currently a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Shanmugam previously held a significant role in the Office of the Solicitor General during the George W. Bush administration. His legal prowess is evidenced by his argumentation in 39 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and over 150 cases in various courts nationwide.
His arrival comes at a time when Harvard finds itself embroiled in two lawsuits against the Trump administration, both of which are anticipated to reach the Supreme Court, analysts suggest. Shanmugam is also known for his involvement with the Federalist Society, a prominent conservative legal organization, and for having clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, recognized as a leading figure in the court’s conservative ranks.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber and Corporation Senior Fellow Penny S. Pritzker expressed in a release that Shanmugam’s appointment will offer “fresh perspectives and valuable insights” amid the institution’s current challenges. They also extended their appreciation to Wells for his significant contributions to the Corporation over the years.
Shanmugam’s roots with Harvard run deep. Having graduated with a degree in classics, he served as editor in chief of the Harvard Independent before continuing to Harvard Law School, where he was executive editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.
“I owe everything to Harvard,” Shanmugam remarked, emphasizing how the University opened doors to opportunities that shaped his career. He acknowledged the challenges facing Harvard, but highlighted its substantial positive contributions to society, calling it one of the country’s most vital institutions.
During his tenure at Paul, Weiss, the firm agreed to undertake $40 million of pro bono work for causes aligned with President Trump following threats to limit access to federal proceedings. This decision, which led to departures of some prominent partners, contrasted sharply with Harvard’s resistance to requests from the Trump administration.
Shanmugam has also actively engaged in education, teaching Supreme Court advocacy at Georgetown University Law Center and chairing the board of trustees at Thurgood Marshall Academy, a charter high school in Washington, D.C.
He will serve a six-year term on the Harvard Corporation, with the possibility of an extension as needed.
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