Eric MacLeish
A graduate of Vassar College, he went on to graduate cum laude from the Boston University School of Law in 1978., MacLeish clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro. From 2002 to 2004, he was the lead counsel when his law firm represented over 300 people in the Boston priest scandal. He also represented a claimant that they were sexually abused by a Milton Academy teacher. He has been representing people who allege sexual abuse at St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island. The "National Law Journal" once name him one of the top trial attorneys in the US. In 2016, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly named MacLeish a "Lawyer of the Year" for his work on behalf of sexual abuse victims in private schools. He began teaching at Plymouth State University in 2006 before returning to the practice of law in 2011. His father was political commentator Roderick MacLeish and he has a sister, Sumner MacLeish. His former psychologist lost her professional license after having a sexual relationship with him. In the movie "Spotlight", MacLeish was portrayed by Billy Crudup. He has claimed he was portrayed inaccurately.
Career
After the priest abuse cases, MacLeish stopped practicing law. MacLeish has continued to represent victims of sexual abuse at private schools, camps and other institutions since the St. George's case.