News

Students honored James Boyle, William Neal Reynolds professor of law and an expert on intellectual property, with the Duke Bar Association's 2006 Distinguished Teaching Award on April 14.

The award was presented by Mayely Boyce '08, who nominated Boyle. She described Boyle as "one of those rare teachers who manages to challenge, entertain, and surprise his students." She recalled not only his interesting lectures but also his approachability, noting his willingness to answer students' questions and explain complicated issues in new and creative ways.

Receiving his award, Boyle reflected on his teaching career, saying that though he initially thought teaching would come easy to him, he learned, over time, that it is extremely hard. "But that is what makes it so exciting."

"This means a lot to me," Boyle said in closing, "more than any award I have ever received."

Professor Boyle joined the Duke Law faculty in 2000 and is Faculty Co-Director of the Center for the Study of the Public Domain