Esteemed Alumnus John P. “Jack” Clarke ’55CBA, ’57L, ’24HON to Address Graduates at Law School’s Centennial Commencement

As St. John’s Law marks its 100th anniversary, Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum is pleased to announce that Jack Clarke, an esteemed Law School alumnus who, as a pillar of the University community, has taught, mentored, championed, and inspired generations of students, will address the graduates at the Law School’s Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2026. 

Professor Clarke has been a defining presence in the St. John’s community for nearly seven decades. He often notes, “I’ve worked for seven University presidents, 14 deans, and 14 basketball coaches, and I’ve known every dean except the very first at the Law School.” Aptly dubbed “Mr. St. John’s,” he has an unrivaled ability to bring generations together through shared opportunities and experiences. “I see how people can help people,” he says, recognizing that “so much in life is fortuitous.”

Professor Clarke’s dedication to helping others is rooted in his own life experience. Growing up without a father, he faced financial hardship and was able to attend college and law school at St. John’s through the Vincentians’ charity. After earning his law degree, he worked at Kings County Supreme Court for two years before returning to St. John’s as Director of Alumni Relations. He later joined the University’s full-time faculty and, over the years, has taught more than 10,000 students and served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Law at St. John’s Peter J. Tobin College of Business.

Grateful for the support he received as a student, Professor Clarke has given back generously to St. John’s Law, its students, and its alumni. In 2019, he received the John J. Murphy Award at the Law School Alumni Association Luncheon in recognition of his distinguished service to the public, the legal profession, and the rule of law. Five years later, he received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the Law School’s DiMartino/Smith Public Interest Center for being a steadfast champion of its programs and initiatives.

“Jack Clarke embodies the excellence, prominence, and impact that have defined St. John’s Law for a century,” Dean Jefferson Exum says. “His leadership, mentorship, and philanthropy—particularly in support of public interest work and student opportunity—reflect a lifelong commitment to advancing the Law School’s mission. Honoring him as our commencement speaker in our centennial year is a fitting tribute to a life of remarkable dedication and service and a powerful affirmation of the Law School’s legacy and future.”