IN MEMORIAM: John Wells Fainter ’63
John Wells Fainter, a double longhorn who dedicated over fifty years of service to Texas, passed away on August 29, 2020.
Texas Law News
History Made 70 Years Ago This Week: Heman Sweatt Enrolls
The true moment of desegregation at U.T. came on Tuesday, September 19, 1950, when Heman Sweatt, fresh from his Supreme Court victory in Sweatt v. Painter, officially registered for his law classes.
Taking Freshlaw Orientation By The Horns
The spirit of resilience, and steadfast determination to make Fall 2020 memorable for excellence and not just "making do," has been a constant feature of the Texas Law community's work ethic. Nowhere was this more evident, than this year's Orientation activities.
Two Texas Law Alumni Recognized in the Texas Exes Distinguished Alumni Awards
Texas Law Alumni, Paul Begala ‘83 and Arleas Upton Kea ‘79, are being honored with Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Awards.
Texas Law Launches First Amendment Center
The University of Texas School of Law is opening the Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center, dedicated to advancing discussion, education, and scholarship on the First Amendment.
IN MEMORIAM: Robert Manley Parker ’64
Robert Manley Parker '64, double Longhorn and legendary judge and trial lawyer, passed away on August 27 at age 82.
Exciting Changes to Texas Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Exciting changes to the Texas Law Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) will go into effect September 1, 2020.
Richard Albert to Serve as Co-President of the International Society of Public Law
The International Society of Public Law has announced that Texas Law Prof. Richard Albert will serve as Co-President of the Society, taking office in July 2021. For the next year, Prof. Albert, the William Stamps Farish Professor of Law, will hold the title of Co-President Elect.
Fifth Circuit Upholds $438M Antitrust Judgment for Beck Redden
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a judgment for $438.65 million in favor of Beck Redden client HP, Inc.
Texas Law’s Successful 2020 Moot Court Season
The University of Texas School of Law had a remarkably successful Moot Court Season, both before and after the novel coronavirus disrupted many competitions across the country.
Texas Law Welcomes Incoming Public Interest Scholars, Members of the Class of 2023
The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law is proud to welcome first-year students Alyse Munrose, Nicole Steinberg, and Sally Vandenberg – recipients of scholarships awarded to incoming students who have a demonstrated commitment to social justice.
IN MEMORIAM: Steve Susman ’65
Stephen D. Susman, the peerless Texas trial attorney who helped pioneer litigation boutiques and contingency fees in high-stakes commercial litigation, died Tuesday from the effects of a traumatic brain injury suffered in a bicycle accident recently complicated by COVID-19.
Isaac B. Villarreal LL.M. ’18 Will Clerk for Texas Supreme Court’s Justice Guzman
Isaac B. Villarreal ‘18, Texas Law’s first LL.M. to clerk for a federal court, has just received another clerkship with the Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.
Prof. Richard Albert: “It’s Time to Update the Language of the Constitution”
Professor Richard Albert has a new op-ed in The Hill arguing that the Constitution’s gendered and racist language “weakens rather than enhances the feeling of belonging that a constitution should generate among a country’s citizens.”
Texas Deans’ Communication Regarding the 2020 Texas Bar Exam
Recognizing that "in recent days… the arc of the coronavirus has changed," the deans of the ten Texas law schools have issued a new letter to the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Board of Law Examiners "respectfully offer(ing) three alternatives" to this year's bar exam plans.
“Are You Willing to Give Up Your Privilege?” Asks Darren Walker ’86 in the New York Times Opinion
Ford Foundation President Darren Walker ’86—a double Longhorn, a two-time Law Alumni Award winner, and a Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Awardee—has a new New York Times op-ed arguing that, to preserve the American dream of upward mobility, the beneficiaries of an existentially flawed system must be willing to give up some of the benefits it affords them.
Seven Members of the Class of 2020 Awarded Texas Law Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowships
Texas Law has awarded postgraduate public interest fellowships to five graduating students. Each fellow will receive funding through the Law School to support their first year of employment at a nonprofit or public defense organization. Two graduating students have been selected for postgraduate fellowships by the Gallogly Family Foundation.
Statement of the Deans of the Ten Texas Law Schools
The deans of the ten Texas law schools, including Dean Farnsworth and Texas Law, have written a joint statement condemning racism, and remembering George Floyd and other victims of racial violence.
Message from the Dean to Alumni
Dean Ward Farnsworth emailed alumni on June 8, 2020 to share news about the Law School’s response to national events and plans for a fall re-opening.
Darren Walker ’86 on How Philanthropy Can Help Achieve Racial Justice
Darren Walker ’86, President of the Ford Foundation, participated in Thursday’s Time 100 Talks addressing philanthropy’s role in the movement for racial justice. Walker is a Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Awardee, the highest honor given by his alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin, and winner of the 2019 Texas Law Outstanding Alumni Award.
Message from the Dean
Dean Ward Farnsworth sent a message to law students on June 1, 2020, addressing recent national events and affirming support for today's statement from President Ad Interim Jay Hartzell.
Pierce Smith ’20 Named Grand Prize Winner of the American Bar Association Maritime Writing Award
The Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee of the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section 2020 Law Student Writing Competition announced Texas Law’s Pierce Smith ’20 as the Grand Prize Winner.
Seven Texas Law Graduates Received Prestigious Public Interest Fellowships for 2020
What starts here changes the world! Four Texas Law graduates have received postgraduate fellowships from Equal Justice Works, along with three Texas Law graduates who have received prestigious organizational-based fellowships to work for the public good.
Celebrating Mothers at Texas Law
Being a mother isn’t easy. Law school isn’t easy. Doing both at the same time takes a special kind of strength and perseverance. Today we honor mothers worldwide and at Texas Law, and what better way than to hear directly from them? Read Q&A’s with a few of our law students who are also mothers to learn about their experiences.
🤘STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Michael Vance
For this edition of Texas Law's Student Spotlight series, meet soon-to-be graduate Michael Vance, the current Vice President of the Thurgood Marshall Legal Society!
New Books from Texas Law Faculty
A number of Texas Law faculty members have recently published new books covering a broad range of topics.
Prof. Henry Hu’s Article Named Among the Top Ten Corporate and Securities Law Articles of 2019
This year’s list of the Ten Best Corporate and Securities Law Articles, selected by an annual poll of corporate and securities law academics, includes an article co-authored by Texas Law Professor Henry T. C. Hu.
An Interview With Prof. Karen Engle About Her New Book
Prof. Karen Engle has a new book, The Grip of Sexual Violence in Conflict, out this week from Stanford University Press. We talked with Prof. Engle about the new book and some common threads of her body of work.
One of East Austin’s Most Legendary Families
Many in the Texas Law community are familiar with Virgil C. Lott’s story. In 1953, Lott became the first African American to graduate from The University of Texas Law School and was the first African American to sit on the bench of an Austin court. Fewer people know the story of Virgil’s remarkable parents, Oral Rochester “O.R.” Lott Sr. and Viola Madison Lott, children of former slaves and founders of a successful lumber and housing business in East Austin.
🤘STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Thaisa Howorth ’21
For this edition of Texas Law’s Student Spotlight series, meet 2L Thaisa Howorth, who has a dual degree in social work and designed the Texas Law Self-Care Resources website!
Women’s History at Texas Law 2020
As this year's Women's History Month comes to an end, we reflect on the remarkable women who shaped and continue to shape Texas Law.