Aspen Leading Edge

Josh Fershee, Dean of Creighton University School of Law, and Kendra Fershee, Professor at Creighton University, discuss their journey to Omaha and their favorite parts of the city. Josh also discusses the numerous clinics currently being offered, including Community Connections, a legal resource center for the community.  

Ronald Weich, Seton Hall University, reflects on his 12 years as dean of the University of Baltimore School of Law and what he hopes as he begins his deanship at Seton Hall University. He also shares his thoughts about unifying and collaborative efforts that should be made between the law school and the university.

Reid Weisbord, Rutgers University, and David Horton, UC Davis, discuss the third edition of their coursebook, Wills, Trusts, and Estates: The Essentials, and what tools and resources they are offering for students and professors. They also talk about the future of the specialty and how A.I. may play a factor.  

Dan Filler, Drexel University, talks about being part of the inaugural faculty of the Kline School of Law and what the law school is doing to provide interdisciplinary opportunities. This includes a co-op program where students can earn academic credit for working with practitioners and a new undergraduate degree in law.

Andrew Verstein, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, and Lynn LoPucki, University of Florida College of Law, talks about the second edition of Business Associations: A Systems Approach. They talk about the benefits of using a problem-based approach in a business associations course and what additional teaching materials they provide to help professors teach the course.

Michael Cahill, Brooklyn Law School, shares his experience of being Co-Dean at Rutgers University and Dean at Brooklyn Law School and what the transition is like to becoming a full-time professor again. He also goes into detail about the upcoming sixth edition of Criminal Law: Case Studies and Controversies and how he goes about teaching case studies. 

Andy Perlman, Suffolk University, shares his opinions on Generative AI and the future it will hold in both the legal profession and legal education. Including what use it may have in the admissions process both for the applicant and for the school. He also gives law school advice about incorporating legal technology and innovation into the curriculum. 

Alex Ruskell, University of South Carolina, advises on preparing for the Bar Exam and shares what will be coming with the NextGen Bar Exam. He also speaks about his book Strategies & Tactics for the Finz Multistate Method.  

Bradley Wendel, Cornell Law School, talks about changing the seventh edition of Examples & Explanations: Professional Responsibility, what will be coming up in the next edition of Torts: Cases and Materials, and the details behind his newest book, Canceling Lawyers. He also talks about how he relates moral philosophy in his class.

Alexandra Lahav, Cornell University, talks about the new edition of her casebook, Civil Procedure: Doctrine, Practice, and Context. She provides advice on how to teach the course with the textbook and what materials she adds to her course. Alexandra also shares details of her book, In Praise of Litigation.

Rachel Harmon, University of Virginia, talks about the second edition of her casebook, The Law of the Police, what changes have been made, and how other professors are teaching the material. She also discusses the government’s role in local policing.   

Megan Carpenter, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce, talks about the university’s hybrid JD program including the origin of the program and the unique immersion offerings included. She also describes the Daniel Webster Scholar Honor Program and how the students build their portfolios.  

June Carbone, University of Minnesota, Naomi Cahn, University of Virginia, and Nancy Levit, University of Missouri-Kansas City talk about their new book, Fair Shake: Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy. They share examples of cases they’ve included in their book and discuss some statistics regarding employment discrimination and gender disparity.

Matthew Lyon, Vice President and Dean at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, talks about being part of the origin of this law school and what the benefits are of being a younger law school. He also shares details about the new online, part-time degree program as well as experiential learning.

Howard Erichson, Fordham School of Law, and Maria Glover, Georgetown Law, talk about the second edition of their casebook, Civil Procedure, and why they initially decided to write the casebook. They also share details on how they each teach the course and how it has evolved over the years.

David Dye, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs at Texas A&M, talks all about the Masters in Legal Studies. From the thirteen different specialties to the wide variety of benefits, David speaks on the importance of this program and why law schools should be proactive and incorporate this program.

June Carbone, Minnesota Law, and Rachel Rebouché, Dean of Temple University School of Law talk about the seventh edition of their Family Law casebook. They also share the importance of Family Law and how it is changing due to the Dobbs Decision.

Dean Marisa Cianciarulo of Western State College of Law shares her journey into deanship as well as her goals for the university, including increasing the first-time bar passage rate and prioritizing online programs. She also describes the multiple clinics offered as well as upcoming interdisciplinary ones with Westcliff University.

DeShayla Strachan, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, shares her journey of going from a journalism career to becoming a law professor and how her career has impacted her teaching. She also talks about her upcoming Examples & Explanations study guide on online legal research and how AI can be used as a benefit and secondary source in the classroom.

Karen Sneddon, Dean of Mercer University School of Law, talks about celebrating the 150th anniversary of the law school and what is on the horizon for experiential learning. She also shares how her experience in Legal Writing has affected her current teaching and deanship. Dean Sneddon also gives a preview of her upcoming collaboration for PracticePerfect Wills, Trusts, and Estates.  

Peter "Bo" Rutledge, University of Georgia, talks about his experience as a dean and some of his favorite university accomplishments including bringing over students from the Ukraine to stories about his faculty. He also shares advice for new deans. 

John Pierre, Chancellor of Southern University Law Center, speaks about the importance of incorporating technology, including iPads, at the law center. He also shares thoughts about the NextGen Bar Exam and how the law center is serving minority students.

Jeremy Counseller, Baylor Law School, and Eric Portfield, UNT Dallas talk with Patty Roberts about the third edition of their casebook Civil Procedure: In Focus. They share the additions of AI and COVID-19 in the text as well as their thoughts about using AI in the courtroom. Both authors also give updates on their universities including Counseller’s upcoming deanship.

Morse Tan, Liberty University School of Law, shares some highlights of his time as Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice as well as his thoughts on current global affairs in Russia and Ukraine as well as The Middle East. Dean Tan also gives updates on Liberty University and their accomplishments in lawyering skills.  

Douglas NeJaime, Yale Law School, discusses the approaches and origin story of his casebook, Family Law in a Changing America which is now in its second edition. He also shares the importance of the Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA) and how other states approach parenting rights.