Ric Keller is a Professor of the Practice at the Hamilton School. A graduate of Harvard University and Vanderbilt Law School, Keller is an attorney and former U.S. Congressman. His focus area is helping leaders disagree better without losing trust.
Keller served in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight years. In Congress, he was a member of the Judiciary and Education Committees and Chaired the Higher Education Subcommittee. Keller was also a trial attorney for twenty-five years.
Keller has written articles about civility published by the Harvard Crimson, authored an award-winning book, Chase the Bears, and delivered a popular TEDx Talk, The Power of Self-Deprecating Humor.
Keller’s forthcoming book, Disagree Better: Challenge Ideas, Respect People, will be released in 2027. Drawing on his experience as a Member of Congress and trial lawyer, the book highlights Keller’s L.A.W. Framework—a simple communication system that helps leaders navigate difficult conversations with confidence and strengthen relationships.
Keller, Ric. “Wendy’s and Me.” Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Ways to Think Positive, edited by Amy Newmark. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, 2025.
Keller, Ric. “Networking.” The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize and Amplify You, edited by Elizabeth Guarino. Health Communications, Inc., 2024.
Keller, Ric. Chase the Bears: Little Things to Achieve Big Dreams. Health Communications, Inc., 2022.
Keller, Ric. “The Blue Patch.” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Too Funny! edited by Amy Newmark. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, 2022.
Keller, Ric. “Mr. Overstreet.” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Kindness Matters, edited by Amy Newmark. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, 2022
Keller, Ric. “The Proposal.” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Kindness Matters, edited by Amy Newmark. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, 2022
Keller, Ric. “A Republican Walks into a Harvard Bar,” Harvard Crimson, March 6, 2026. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/3/6/keller-harvard-republican-inclusive/
Keller, Ric. “Rules of Civility in a Sometimes-Uncivilized World,” Smerconish.com, September 1, 2022. https://www.smerconish.com/exclusive-content/rules-of-civility-in-a-sometimes-uncivilized-world/
Keller, Ric. “What I Learned at the Harvard IOP’s Congressional Orientation,” Harvard Crimson, November 30, 2020. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/11/30/keller-iop-congressional-orientation/
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