John Coughlin
Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law
Affiliation: NYU New York
Education: BA Niagara University; MA Columbia University; ThM Princeton Seminary; JD Harvard University Law School; JCL, JCD Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome)
Research Websites: Family Business Histories
Research Areas: comparative religion, theology, canon law, sharia law, Talmudic law, Hindu law, comparative law, jurisprudence, legal philosophy, professional responsibility, legal ethics, fundamental human rights, religious freedom, comparative constitutional law, criminal law, international law, administrative law, family law, law and religion, ecumenism, and peace studies
A Franciscan priest since 1983, John J. Coughlin, O.F.M., serves as Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law and affiliated faculty at the NYU School of Law. He is the founding program head of Legal Studies at NYU Abu Dhabi. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he clerked for the Hon. Frank X. Altimari of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and then completed his doctorate in canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome. A doctor utriusque iuris, Coughlin was a member of the Holy See’s delegation to the United Nations treaty conference that established the International Criminal Court
Professor Coughlin has taught at universities in New York, London, South Bend, and Rome. Among his teaching awards, his students have selected him as Professor of the Year on several occasions. In addition to teaching, he has practiced law, served in administrative positions, and been a trustee of hospital and college boards. Professor Coughlin's teaching and research interests include canon law, comparative legal systems, law and religion, legal ethics, religious studies, theology, legal philosophy and jurisprudence, human rights, and comparative religion.