Background
Burns, William Haywood was born on June 15, 1940 in Peekskill, New York, United States. Son of Junious Haywood and Josephine (Clark) Burns.
Burns, William Haywood was born on June 15, 1940 in Peekskill, New York, United States. Son of Junious Haywood and Josephine (Clark) Burns.
Bachelor with honors, Harvard College, 1962. Postgraduate fellowship, Cambridge University, 1963. Juris Doctor, Yale University, 1966.
Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Whaston & Garrison, New York City, 1966;
law clerk, United States District Court Judge C. B. Motley, New York City, 1966-1967;
assistant counsel, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Education Fund, New York City, 1967-1969;
national director, National Conference of Black Lawyers, New York City, 1970-1973;
visiting professor, State University of New York at Buffalo (New York) Law School, 1974-1975;
associate professor, New York University Law School, New York City, 1975-1977;
vice provost and dean Center for Legal Education, City College of New York, New York City, 1977-1987;
dean, CUNY Law School at Queens College, New York City, from 1987. Vice president Center for Constnl. Rights, New York City, from 1981.
President National Institute, New York City, from 1984.
Vice chair Prisoner Legal Superior vena cava syndrome New York. Director Vera Institute for Justice, 21st Century Foundation, Boehm Foundation. Chairman Neighborhood Defender Svc.
Harlem, all New York City. Member American Bar Association (pro bono professional responsibilities award litigation section 1989), National Bar Association, Association of the Bar of the City of New York, National Conference Black Lawyers (chairman 1982-1985, Founders award 1973), National Lawyers Guild (national president 1986-1988), Queens County Bar Association, Council on Foreign Rels.
Married Jennifer Ellen Dohrn, May 1, 1988. Children: Seth, Amilcar, Jeremiah, Haydee, Atariba.