There will be a memorial service held today for Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, public service professor of jurisprudence at the Kennedy School of Government (KSG) who died Dec. 14.

Higginbotham, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil honor, will be remembered for his work in championing civil rights.

The service, organized by the Law School, the Kennedy School and the W.E.B. DuBois Center, will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Malkin Penthouse in the KSG.

Those who knew Higginbotham will have the opportunity to share personal memories of him.

The group will then proceed to Memorial Church for a service officiated by Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Minister in the Memorial Church, and a pastor from the People's Baptist Church in Boston.

Among those expected to attend and pay tribute to Higginbotham are President Neil L. Rudenstine, W.E.B. DuBois Professor of the Humanities Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Higginbotham's wife and daughter.

Kuumba, a campus choir that performs spiritual music, will sing, and there will be prayers and scripture readings in Higginbotham's honor. The three organizers of the event are also expected to announce new programs in his memory.

The service, which is open to the public, will be followed by a reception in Pound Hall in the Law School. --Tova A. Serkin