News Summary
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School pays tribute to Professor Emeritus Frank Goodman, whose extensive career and teachings have profoundly impacted legal education. Remembered for his dedication to students and expertise in constitutional law, Goodman served for over four decades, inspiring future legal scholars. His remarkable academic journey included prestigious institutions like Harvard and Oxford, and he contributed significantly to legal scholarship. The Penn Carey Law community mourns his passing while celebrating his enduring legacy in legal education.
Philadelphia, PA – The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is honoring the profound legacy of Professor of Law, Emeritus Frank Goodman, who passed away on December 26, 2025. A beloved and esteemed faculty member for over four decades, Goodman’s contributions significantly shaped legal education and scholarship at Penn Carey Law.
Remembering a Pillar of Legal Education
Professor Goodman, who retired to emeritus status in the summer of 2014 after 41 years of service, was remembered for his deep passion for the law, his dedication to his students, and his valued relationships with colleagues. Born on November 20, 1932, he was 93 years old at the time of his passing. The Penn Carey Law community acknowledges his enduring impact, recalling his commitment to fostering rigorous legal discourse and his willingness to engage with students on complex legal concepts long after classes concluded.
A Distinguished Career at Penn Carey Law
Frank Goodman joined the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1973 as a Visiting Professor, becoming a full Professor of Law in 1976. Over his extensive tenure, he became a central figure in the institution, specializing primarily in constitutional law and federal courts. His teaching range, however, was remarkably broad, encompassing courses in legal philosophy, administrative law, environmental law, sports law, and welfare law. This interdisciplinary approach to teaching enriched the academic environment and exposed students to a wide spectrum of legal thought.
A Storied Path to Academia
Goodman’s illustrious career spanned several significant legal fields before he dedicated himself to teaching. A highly accomplished scholar from a young age, he earned his A.B. summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1954, where he was also a Phi Beta Kappa Senior 16. He continued his education as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, receiving an M.A. with First Class Honors in 1956. He then obtained his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1959, where he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
Following law school, Goodman clerked for Judge William H. Hastie on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 1959 to 1960. He then ventured into private practice, specializing in entertainment law in Beverly Hills, California, from 1960 to 1962. During this period, his firm represented a glittering list of clients, including prominent figures such as Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Stewart, the Marx Brothers, Grace Kelly, and Alfred Hitchcock, with MCA being a major client.
His public service included roles as a government lawyer, first as a Special Assistant to the General Counsel of the Federal Power Commission in 1962, and then as an Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States from 1962 to 1965. His time in the Solicitor General’s Office coincided with the highly influential Warren Court era, a period that saw the laying of foundational constitutional law in areas such as civil rights, criminal procedure, school prayer, legislative apportionment, freedom of speech, and the right of privacy. This experience significantly influenced his eventual decision to pursue a career in legal education.
Before arriving at Penn Carey Law, Goodman spent seven years on the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley’s law school (Boalt Hall) from 1965 to 1972, where he taught constitutional law, torts, poverty law, and trusts and estates, and witnessed the significant student demonstrations of that era. He also served as the Research Director of the Administrative Conference of the United States from 1972 to 1973, where he collaborated with the future Justice Antonin Scalia.
Scholarly Contributions and Enduring Influence
Professor Goodman’s scholarship included numerous influential articles and a book. He authored “Social Security Hearings and Appeals” in 1978, co-written with several distinguished legal scholars. His articles appeared in prestigious legal journals, addressing complex topics such as “Mark Tushnet on Liberal Constitutional Theory: Mission Impossible” (1989), “Judge Friendly’s Contributions to Securities Law and Criminal Procedure: ‘Moderation is all'” (1984), and “The Desegregation Dilemma: A Vote For Voluntarism” (1979). His work consistently reflected his deep engagement with constitutional theory, administrative law, and civil rights issues, underscoring his intellectual breadth and critical thinking.
Frank Goodman is survived by his wife, Joan Goodman, and their children, Lisa, Barak, Ellen, and Jonathan Goodman. The Penn Carey Law School community remembers him as a truly esteemed and beloved figure whose intellectual contributions and dedication to legal education will continue to resonate for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the news about Frank Goodman?
- The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is honoring the legacy of Professor of Law, Emeritus Frank Goodman, who passed away on December 26, 2025.
- When did Professor Frank Goodman pass away?
- Professor Frank Goodman passed away on December 26, 2025.
- What was Frank Goodman’s role at Penn Carey Law?
- Frank Goodman was a Professor of Law, Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
- How long did Frank Goodman teach at Penn Carey Law?
- He taught at Penn Carey Law for over forty years, retiring to emeritus status after 41 years on the faculty.
- What were Frank Goodman’s main areas of teaching and scholarship?
- His main teaching areas included constitutional law and federal courts, and his scholarship covered constitutional theory, securities law, criminal procedure, school desegregation, and administrative law.
- Where did Frank Goodman receive his education?
- He received his A.B. from Harvard University, an M.A. as a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Key Features of Frank Goodman’s Legacy
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Role at Penn Carey Law | Professor of Law, Emeritus |
| Institution | University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School |
| Date of Passing | December 26, 2025 |
| Tenure at Penn Carey Law | Over forty years (41 years until retirement to emeritus status) |
| Key Teaching Areas | Constitutional Law, Federal Courts, Legal Philosophy, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Sports Law, Welfare Law |
| Notable Prior Roles (Nationwide) | Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States (1962-1965), Research Director of the Administrative Conference of the United States (1972-1973) |
| Academic Achievements | Rhodes Scholar, Harvard Law Review Editor |
| Notable Publications | “Social Security Hearings and Appeals” (Book, 1978), Articles on constitutional theory, securities law, criminal procedure, school desegregation |
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