From left to right: Dean Ward Farnsworth, Clinical Professor Barbara Hines, law alumnus John Massey, ’66, and Elizabeth S. Massey, B.S. ’61.
University of Texas School of Law Clinical Professor Barbara Hines has been awarded the 2015-17 Massey Award for Teaching Excellence. The award is presented to a faculty member who embodies the school’s priority of providing the highest quality of teaching to its students.
“Barbara Hines epitomizes much of the best of Texas Law,” said Ward Farnsworth, dean of the law school. “She has been one of the most dedicated clinicians on our faculty for many years; our students often tell me about the life-changing effects her teaching has had on them. It’s wonderful to be able to honor such an outstanding professor with the Massey Teaching Excellence Award.”
Hines is founder and co-director of the Immigration Clinic and has practiced in the field since 1975. She has been a Fulbright scholar twice in Argentina, focusing on Argentine immigration law. She has won numerous awards for her work including the 1992 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Jack Wasserman Award for Excellence in Litigation; the 1993 AILA Texas Chapter Litigation Award; the 2002 Texas Law Fellowships Excellence in Public Interest Award; the 2007 AILA Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award; the 2009 MALDEF Excellence in Legal Services Award; and the 2010 National Lawyers Guild Carol King Award. In 2000, she was named one of the 100 best lawyers in the state by Texas Lawyer.
“Teaching at Texas Law has been the most rewarding job I have ever had. The law school has been so supportive of my teaching and clinical work,” Hines said. “I am pleased to represent the clinical faculty and am grateful to the Masseys for establishing this award and recognizing the importance of teaching at our law school.”
In the spring of 2003, the law school established the Massey Teaching Excellence Award, endowed by John H. Massey, J.D. ’66, and his wife, Elizabeth S. Massey, B.S. ’61. Since then, teaching greats such as David Rabban, Ernest Smith, Stanley Johanson and Steve Goode have been named among the honorable recipients.
“The law school has some of the greatest teachers anywhere. Barbara Hines is a perfect example,” said John Massey. “She has served her students and clinical clients with tireless dedication and helped make Texas Law the best place in the country to get a legal education. I couldn’t be more proud of her work, or more pleased to see her win the award.”
Hines, who currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, plans to retire from the law school at the end of the year.
“While I have been able to mentor and teach so many wonderful students, at the same time, I have learned so much from them,” she said. “My greatest achievement is that I have inspired many students to become public interest and immigration lawyers.”
For more information, contact: Marjorie Smith, assistant director of communications, at marjoriesmith@law.utexas.edu or 512-232-2442.