The Criminal Justice Certificate Program (CJCP) and the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute (CCJI) at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) are proud to recognize the national spotlight on Professor Jonathan Rapping, whose powerful keynote address at Mercer Law School’s 2024 Symposium, The Lawyer as Advocate, was recently published in the Mercer Law Review.
A prominent figure in public defense and justice reform, Professor Rapping delivered remarks that challenge traditional legal education and urge future attorneys to forge meaningful, purpose-driven careers. Drawing from his own journey as a public defender and Founder of Gideon’s Promise, Rapping’s message centered on the need to connect one’s personal identity with professional advocacy—not as an option, but as an obligation.
“Client-centered lawyering is civil rights work,” Rapping told students. “The cause is not abstract—it’s the person you stand beside. When your client becomes your cause, your work becomes your purpose.”
A Milestone Moment for AJMLS Programs Committed to Justice
Rapping’s leadership of the Criminal Justice Certificate Program (CJCP)—a cornerstone of AJMLS’s academic offerings—prepares students for impactful careers in criminal justice by equipping them with a deep understanding of both prosecution and defense, with special emphasis on ethics, equity, and practical readiness. Through specialized coursework and field-based experience, the CJCP develops lawyers who serve not only the law, but the communities most affected by it.
At the same time, the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute (CCJI) functions as a center of innovation, scholarship, and public service within AJMLS. By addressing real-world challenges in both the civil and criminal justice systems, CCJI brings together faculty, students, and community partners to advance the law while humanizing those it touches.
Together, these two programs embody AJMLS’s deep institutional commitment to advocacy that centers on human dignity, community engagement, and sustainable reform.
A National Voice for Local Purpose
Rapping’s remarks, now archived in the Mercer Law Review, explore models developed through Gideon’s Promise to support lawyers on the front lines—many of whom face burnout, impossible caseloads, and systemic resistance. From his “Motivation Triangle” to the “Close the Gap” resilience framework, Rapping provides not just critique—but tools.
“The happiest lawyers I know have found their purpose,” he shared. “They aren’t just doing work—they’re living their values. That is what we cultivate at John Marshall, and what CJCP and CCJI are all about.”
Learn more about the Criminal Justice Certificate Program and the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute (CCJI) at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.