I have just heard the shocking and sad news that Marc Poirier, a pillar of the progressive property community, has passed away. Marc taught for many years at Seton Hall Law School, where he was a professor of law and the Martha Traylor Research Scholar. Marc's work, particularly in recent years, was focused on property theory, environmental law, and law and sexuality (his articles on ssrn are here). And his teaching focused in the same areas. One of his most popular articles is "The Cultural Property Claim within the Same Sex Marriage Controversy," which won the Dukeminier award in 2008. A lot of you will enjoy reading "One L in a Different Voice: Becoming a Gay Male Feminist at Harvard Law School." Marc's personality really comes through here.
Just last fall I had the pleasure of hearing Marc talk about one of his new projects, on memorial sites for the gay rights struggle. I'm looking forward to the fruits of that project. Marc was about a lot more than scholarship, but the progressive property community will feel this loss particularly because we've lost Marc's energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. His students, family, and the Seton Hall community are in my thoughts.
Thanks to Marc Roark for sending along this sad news.
This is just devastating news. Marc was one of the first people I met in the academy, and was a great friend. I'm in shock, and will miss him greatly.
Posted by: Ben Barros | August 03, 2015 at 10:53 AM
What a devastating loss. Thank you for letting us know.
Posted by: Ann Tweedy | August 03, 2015 at 12:44 PM
Very, very sad. A humane, passionate and generous man, and a good friend.
Posted by: Nick Blomley | August 03, 2015 at 01:09 PM
This is very sad news and a real loss to the legal academy. Marc was always thoughtful and kind, and I count myself lucky to have known him.
Posted by: Bob Strassfeld | August 03, 2015 at 04:38 PM
Mark was a visitor at Washington and Lee many years ago, and a frequent attendee at my Movie Nights. Knowing my irrepressible fondness for popcorn, he gave me a special microwaveable popcorn bowl, which I still have. I thanked him for it every time I saw him at AALS meetings. This observation, obviously inessential, hardly seems a fitting encomium for such a fine man. But it's what I have. I'm sorry to hear this news.
Adam Scales
Posted by: Adam | August 03, 2015 at 10:02 PM
I am sorry to hear this news about Marc. He was a great guy and I enjoyed his company and his scholarship.
Posted by: Mark Wojcik | August 04, 2015 at 12:02 AM
Marc was a model for the best in academia: he shared ideas and applied them to make the world a better place. When I first met him in 1994 at the Law & Society conference in Phoenix I knew he would be a great colleague and friend. His loss leaves a huge gap.
Posted by: Peter Reich | August 04, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Marc was such a kind soul and showed such an interest in junior-faculty research interests. His patience, interest and sincerity really were shining examples.
Posted by: Greg Bordelon | August 04, 2015 at 04:53 PM
So devastated by this news. He was my mentor when I was first teaching Sexual Orientation and the Law at Washington and Lee. Louise Halper (RIP) connected me with Marc, and he was so generous in sharing his thoughts (and materials - which I still have) and was also so wonderfully gentle in challenging my own thinking. I owe much to him - as do so many who have been lucky enough to be touched by his heart, smarts and kindness.
Posted by: Quince Hopkins | August 04, 2015 at 08:29 PM
Professor Poirier was an amazing man and professor. I had the pleasure of taking his Law and Sexuality class while at Seton Hall and he had a profound impact on my life both during and following law school. Professor Poirier encouraged individuality every day, and ensured each student's voice was heard. He consistently challenged his students intellectually and pushed us to become brighter legal minds. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing. He was a brilliant man who touched many lives! He will be missed by many!
Posted by: Chelsea Miller | August 04, 2015 at 10:00 PM
As someone who has been a friend of Marc's for over 45 years, I also want to comment on his extraordinary gifts as a musician. Marc was both a brilliant pianist and an innovative composer. When he and I first met as students at Andover in 1966, I was hugely impressed and influenced by his subtle use of harmony which, like his intellectual gifts, was both Protean and uncompromising. Marc's mind and heart are too soon lost to the world.
Posted by: Frederick Peters | August 05, 2015 at 02:15 PM
My old college classmate. I loved him then. Didn't keep up the friendship but so sad to hear of his passing.
Posted by: Russell cecil | August 07, 2015 at 08:52 PM
I became friends with Marc at Yale Law School. We've spoken regularly since, and visited whenever either of us was in the other's town. He was a wonderful person and fabulous company. And he introduced me to Mahler's Symphony #2. I was enormously fond of him and will miss him.
Posted by: Andy Koppelman | August 08, 2015 at 10:09 AM