Category: Faculty News

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.

July 8, 2025
Professor Gamage publishes article analyzing state business taxation
Professor David Gamage published a University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper examining tax scholar Karl E. Frieden’s arguments against strengthening state corporate income tax. In his article, “Beyond Blinders and Boomerangs: Assessing State Business Taxation,” Gamage argues that while Frieden does raise some valid points about the efficiency of specific tax design choices, his core argument fundamentally misconstrues the central issues: the ultimate incidence of business taxes, the pursuit of equity and efficiency, and the importance of combating harmful tax avoidance. To read the full paper, click here.

July 8, 2025
Professor Gouzoules interviewed on Seattle NPR
Professor Alexander Gouzoules interviewed by Seattle’s NPR station about the Supreme Court’s recent Mahmoud v. Taylor decision. To hear the full interview, visit: https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/how-the-latest-scotus-ruling-on-religous-rights-echoes-the-scopes-trial…

July 1, 2025
Professor Gouzoules publishes book on the long-lasting impact of Scopes v. Tennessee
Professor Alexander Gouzoules co-authored a book, “The Hundred Years’ Trial: Law, Evolution, and the Long Shadow of Scopes v. Tennessee, which is out for purchase now. According to the publisher, Gouzoules, along with co-author Harold Gouzoules “explore the century-long impacts of the historic 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial,” starting with the development of evolutionary theory and charting the resulting cultural and legal conflicts over evolution in the United States. Through a blend of legal history, scientific exploration, and cultural analysis, the authors reexamine how this landmark trial remains a pivotal moment in shaping modern debates on science, religion, and education.

June 26, 2025
Professor Gamage publishes paper on estate taxation
Professor David Gamage has published a new paper in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review discussing policies for estate taxation of mega-wealthy families. In his paper, “Taxing Dynasties,” Gamage and his co-authors analyze proposed tax reforms to prevent estate tax dodging among the super wealthy and find that those reforms would not suffice in curbing intergenerational transmission of vast wealth. The authors also suggest key criteria for transfer-tax reforms that would be successful in preventing estate tax dodging. To read the full article, visit: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5193668…

June 25, 2025
Professor Wechsler quoted in Boston Globe
Professor Rachel Wechsler was recently quoted in a Boston Globe article discussing a case of homicide: Rachel Wechsler, an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Law who studies gender-based violence, said victims of violent crime often report low levels of satisfaction with the criminal justice system. Incidents like officers failing to arrest Boyette before he allegedly committed murder risk further damage to that relationship, she said.“It certainly can affect the opinion of the competency of people in the system,” Wechsler said. “It sounds like from the report that there…