A First Amendment Legend Passes | Louisville News

A titan of First Amendment law, Russell Weaver, beloved University of Louisville professor and tireless advocate for free speech, passed away at 73 after complications from knee surgery. A global lecturer who shaped constitutional thought in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, he transformed the Southeastern Association of Law Schools into a dynamic hub for scholarly debate. Known for his fearless commitment to free expression—even standing alone against the crowd—he infused his family dinners with political discourse, shaping his children’s critical minds. A devoted tennis player, Missouri Tigers fan, and Francophile who traveled with his family to France, Weaver’s path to law school was unconventional—showing up daily until he earned his spot. His legacy lives on through students, colleagues, and a university resolution honoring his decades of service; his absence leaves a profound void in legal academia. Visitation: August 21, 3–7 PM, Ratterman Funeral Home. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/33de96a1cfbe0192