Michael Sharlot
Professor Michael M. Sharlot, Wright C. Morrow Professor Emeritus in Law and dean of the Law School from 1995 to 2000, passed away June 22, 2013. He also served as interim dean of the Law School in 1994 and as associate dean for several years before that.
Sharlot joined the Law School faculty in 1969. He was an expert in criminal law and evidence, and was the coauthor of several books, including Courtroom Handbook on Texas Evidence, Criminal Law: Cases and Materials, and Texas Practice Guide to the Texas Rules of Evidence. He also served as visiting professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a member of the American Law Institute.
“Mike Sharlot served the Law School and the University with distinction for several decades, both as a professor and as a dean,” said current Law School Dean Ward Farnsworth. “He made great contributions here and was well-loved by his colleagues. He will be missed.”
University President (and former Law School Dean) Bill Powers told the Austin American-Statesman that “Sharlot was a tenacious squash player and fierce competitor on the court and said his friend’s death was ‘a personal loss and a loss for UT.’”
Sharlot grew up in Pennsylvania and earned his JD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law after graduating from Antioch College. Before joining the Law School faculty, he worked for Covington & Burling LLP and was general counsel of the Peace Corps from 1968 to 1969. Sharlot is survived by his wife Susan, a retired attorney; daughter Sarah Sharlot Dietrich; son Matthew Sharlot; and his grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish South Congress, 2620 South Congress Ave., in Austin on Saturday, June 29, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. If you would like to make a contribution in Mike’s memory, please consider the University of Texas Law School Foundation or the University of Texas Butler School of Music.