News Archive
August 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… Read More
Recent News
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 18, 2025
Criminal Practice Clinic Prepares Mizzou Law Students for the Courtroom and Beyond
In just its first full year of operation, the University of Missouri School of Law’s Criminal Practice Clinic is earning praise from students, judges and attorneys across the state for preparing graduates to hit the ground running in the courtroom. Launched in the fall of 2024 as a replacement for the long-standing Innocence Clinic, the Criminal Practice Clinic (CPC) offers third-year law students a full-year, hands-on experience in criminal litigation, combining a rigorous classroom curriculum with real-world practice under Missouri’s Rule 13 certification. Professor Chelseá R. Mitchell, director of the clinic and a former public defender, designed CPC to…
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.