Aug. 4, 2025

For the love of books

Mizzou Law Library director’s lifelong passion fuels a remarkable career in law and learning — an inspiring story for National Book Lovers Day. by Sara Diedrich Cindy Bassett has never been one to accept limits for herself. When she wants something, she finds a way to make it happen — a defining trait that has shaped both her personal journey and her professional role as director of the University of Missouri Law Library. As a young girl with an insatiable love for stories, Bassett grew tired of waiting for someone to read to her. So, she taught herself.

July 28, 2025

Mizzou Law faculty present at SEALS Annual Conference

Seven Mizzou Law faculty are presenting at the 2025 Southeastern Association of Law Schools Annual Conference in Florida the week of July 28. Carli Conklin, Discussant: Discussions in Dispute Resolution (Volume 3):Dealing with DifferencesMonday, July 28, 3:30-6:60pm Rachel Wechsler, Discussant: Criminal Law and Procedure WorkshopCentering People, Producing Narratives, and Exposing Myths in Criminal Law and ProcedureTuesday, July 29, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Eric Hintz, Discussant: Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure WorkshopNew and Established Voices in Criminal ProcedureWednesday, July 30, 9:00 a.m. – noon Shruti Rana, Discussant: Cultivating a Culture of Peer Support for Pre-Tenure Faculty MembersWednesday, July…

July 28, 2025

Professor Mitchell publishes article on civil rights in curriculum

Professor S. David Mitchell, the Ruth L. Hulston Professor of Law, published a new article, “Whose Right(s)?: Civil Rights Impact of Cultural Conflicts in the Curriculum” in the Journal of Civil Rights & Economic Development from the St. John’s University Law School. To read the full article, click here.

July 25, 2025

Professor Emeritus Esbeck quoted in USA Today

Professor Emeritus Carl Esbeck quoted in USA Today regarding the US Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Obergefell case. Carl Esbeck, an expert on religious liberty at the University of Missouri School of Law, said there’s “not a chance” the court is going to overturn Obergefell. That’s in part because Congress passed a law in 2022 guaranteeing federal recognition of same-sex marriage rights, he said. “It would be a useless act to overturn Obergefell,” Esbeck said. “The politics…

July 24, 2025

Professor Emeritus Esbeck Presents on Church Autonomy Doctrine

Carl Esbeck, the R.B. Price Professor and Isabella Wade & Paul C. Lyda Professor Emeritus of Law, presented on Church Autonomy Doctrine on a webinar sponsored by The Federalist Society. The presentation, “Current Issues in Church Autonomy Doctrine: Categorical Immunity, Collateral Order Doctrine, and Neutral Principles of Law,” discussed constitutional issues as they relate to freedom of religion and religious liberty and stemmed from his recently publication in the Marquette Law Review, “Church Autonomy, Textualism, and Originalism: SCOTUS’s Use of History to Give Definition to Church Autonomy Doctrine.” To read that paper, click here.

July 17, 2025

Professor David Gamage publishes article on state fiscal resilience

Professor David Gamage published a University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper discussing challenges facing state governments as federal policy shifts, threatening revenue losses and increased service demands. In his article, Professor Gamage and his co-author Darien Shanske from UC-Davis School of Law propose a seven-step framework for state fiscal resilience. Click here to read the full article.

July 17, 2025

Professors Lietzan, Vacca, Conklin added to leadership team

University of Missouri School of Law Dean Paul Litton has announced three new appointments to his leadership team: Professor Erika Lietzan has been named Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development; Professor Ryan Vacca will serve as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; and Professor Carli Conklin will serve as Director of the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution. “I’m thrilled to add such accomplished scholars and teachers to our leadership team,” Dean Litton said. “Professor Lietzan brings an outstanding record of scholarship and mentoring to the position. She will support our first-rate scholars and foster a…

July 11, 2025

Professor Woods presents on AI

On July 10, Professor Jayne Woods presented on artificial intelligence for the Missouri Capital Chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals. Professor Woods discussed AI generally as well as how it should and should not be used in government work.

July 10, 2025

Professor David Gamage publishes article on e-commerce tax communication

Professor David Gamage published a University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper reporting research results from a study analyzing the tax communication practices of top e-commerce retailers and marketplaces. In the article, Gamage found a spectrum of tax communication practices, including many e-commerce businesses that did not collect sales tax did still inform customers about potential use tax obligations, though the transparency of this information varied. To read the full article, click here.

July 9, 2025

Professor Henson presents on AI

Professor Renee Henson presented on the ethical and practical use of AI for lawyers at the Bartlett Lecture Series.