Henry N. Butler, the Henry G. Manne Chair in Law and Economics and chairman of the Law & Economics Center at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, will receive the prestigious William R. Rakes Leadership in Education Award by the Section on the Education of Lawyers of the Virginia State Bar (VSB), the official bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia and an administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia, on June 5, 2026.
The Rakes Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and vision in advancing legal education and fostering professionalism within the legal community in Virginia.
A nationally recognized scholar and educator, Dr. Butler has dedicated nearly four decades to developing and leading educational programs for federal and state judges, focusing on economics, finance, and the scientific method. He served as dean of George Mason University School of Law from 2015 to 2020, where he led significant institutional growth, strengthened the school’s academic reputation, and expanded its programs and resources, including changing the law school’s name to Antonin Scalia Law School.
Dr. Butler’s distinguished career includes leadership and academic roles at Northwestern University, the Brookings Institution, and other prominent organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Richmond and advanced degrees in economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.