Alec Walen

CAMDEN — Combining his expertise in law and philosophy, Alec Walen hopes to inspire students to think critically and approach situations intelligently and creatively.

“The best lawyers, in my experience, don’t just know legal doctrine; they are people who have a feel for how to paint a client’s position in the most attractive light, using the language of the law and the language of justice,” says Walen, an associate professor jointly appointed in law at Rutgers–Camden and philosophy and criminal justice at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

A Princeton resident, Walen joined the Rutgers School of Law–Camden faculty last semester after teaching at the University of Maryland since 2009.

“Given my range of interests, it is hard to imagine any place in the world that I would rather be,” Walen says of Rutgers. “The Rutgers–New Brunswick Philosophy Department is one of the best in the world and I was particularly drawn to Rutgers–Camden by the presence of the Institute for Law and Philosophy.”

Walen’s expertise includes criminal law, constitutional law, national security law, and moral, legal , and political philosophy.

“I would describe my research as an attempt to bring careful analysis of moral concepts to bear on legal questions,” Walen says.

The author of a number of published law review papers and articles, Walen’s legal writing has recently focused on the justification for preventative detention of dangerous people, including people who make statements of their terrorist intent, and those with a criminal record who pose an ongoing danger of committing violent acts.

“I am also working in matters of more pure moral theory, specifically the theory of rights,” he says.

Walen teaches “Criminal Law” and “Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Law” at the Rutgers School of Law–Camden. He is teaching “Philosophy of Criminal Law” and “Philosophy of Rights” at Rutgers–New Brunswick this semester.

Walen received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Juris Doctor from Harvard University.

Media Contact: Ed Moorhouse
(856) 225-6759
E-mail: ejmoor@camden.rutgers.edu