Dec. 6, 2023

Dean Sperino Quoted in Bloomberg Law

Sandra Sperino, associate dean and Elwood L. Thomas Endowed Professor of Law, was quoted in Bloomberg Law about oral arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court on a work discrimination case. Narrowing the issue leaves out biased employer decisions on topics like when and where employees work, which job functions they’re required to perform, and discipline that doesn’t immediately result in docked pay or other serious consequences, said Sandra Sperino, a discrimination law professor at the University of Missouri. But it also eliminates the need for the justices to define what’s the most minimal conduct that would cross the…

Dec. 5, 2023

Mizzou Law Hires New Director of Family Violence Clinic

Leaders at the University of Missouri School of Law are excited to announce that Danielle Dodd has joined the Mizzou Law faculty as the new director of the recently reopened Family Violence Clinic. Professor Dodd joins the Mizzou Law faculty as an associate clinical professor of law after serving as legal counsel for the Department of Social Services. This included litigating termination of parental rights, adult guardianships, and opposing removal-of-name-requests under the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry.  From 2018 to 2022 Professor Dodd worked at True North of Columbia, Columbia’s local domestic and sexual violence agency. “We are…

Nov. 30, 2023

Mizzou Law student wins entrepreneur competition, $15,000 in seed funding

On top of his responsibilities as a law student, parent and president of the University of Missouri Graduate Professional Council, Mizzou Law 3L Parker Owens sets aside time for one of his favorite hobbies: Lego. However, Owens does more than just play — in July, he created Parker’s Brick Builds, a business which offers custom Lego kits to retailers and online to individuals. Owens said that he has enjoyed Lego since he was a child, so making the leap to creating his own models was a natural progression. “I grew up building with Lego, so I decided to make my…

Nov. 27, 2023

MU law professor pushes to redefine modern contracts, advocate for consumer protections

By Courtney Perrett, Show Me Mizzou Whether you’re subscribing to a dating app, getting a gym membership, visiting a website or purchasing a product, you’re probably entering into a consumer contract. As widely used as these agreements are, people rarely read, understand, or know the content of them. Although there are some government regulations, contract law generally treats online “terms as conditions” to be binding contracts for people who agree to buy, subscribe, borrower, join, or download. In her forthcoming article, The Shape of Consumer Contracts, Andrea Boyack, the Floyd R. Gibson Endowed Professor of Law, says that people’s…

Nov. 17, 2023

Mizzou Law Professors Quoted in ABA Journal

Mizzou Law professors Ben Trachtenberg and Richard Reuben were recently quoted in an ABA Journal article covering a recently disbarred Missouri attorney. Their quotes address ethical and legal questions surrounding the case of an attorney who broke local statute by remaining on a city council while no longer living within that municipality. “Not every lie is going to get a lawyer in trouble. There’s ordinary dishonesty, like telling your children there’s a Santa Claus, and then there’s deeper deceit, such as defrauding the public. That kind of deceit can get you in trouble even when you are acting…

Nov. 16, 2023

Professor Renee Henson Gives MOBAR CLE

This week, Professor Renee Henson gave a MOBAR CLE titled “Beyond the Bar: Putting Your J.D. to Use in a Non-Traditional Way.” More than 300 people in attendance. On the panel with her was Sen. Barbara Washington; Zora Mulligan, executive vice president of Missouri State University; and Jenna Worthen, CEO of James Martin Company and author of Mom Who Works.

Nov. 16, 2023

Classes of the 70s Show Out

An exciting upset against Tennessee wasn’t the only notable event in Columbia this Veteran’s Day weekend — Mizzou Law welcomed home alumni from the classes of the 1970s for a reunion on Friday and Saturday. The reunion featured a cocktail party, a tailgate, and walking tours of the law school’s former location, Tate Hall. Mizzou Law alumnus John Young ‘73, traveled to Columbia from Joplin, Missouri for the weekend. He said that he was excited to reconnect with classmates, especially given how long it’s been since the last reunion for his class. “It’s always fun to see people you went to…

Nov. 15, 2023

Professor David English Named to the Estate Planning Hall of Fame

David English, the William F. Fratcher Missouri Endowed Professor and the Edward L. Jenkins Professor of Law at Mizzou Law, was named to the Estate Planning Hall of Fame in a special ceremony on Nov. 14. Professor English is one of only seven estate planning professionals to receive this prestigious award in 2023, which is given annually in recognition of lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the practice and profession of estate planning within the professional disciplines of academia, accounting, insurance and financial planning, law, philanthropy, and trust services. The Estate Planning Hall of Fame is hosted by the…

Nov. 14, 2023

Ben Thomas ’73 and John Shaw ’77 given 2023 Faculty-Alumni Awards

On Nov. 10, Ben Thomas ’73 and John Shaw ’77 were two of 13 winners of the 2023 Mizzou Alumni Association Faculty-Alumni Awards. Alumni are chosen for this award for outstanding professional achievement and loyal, devoted service to their community and alma mater. Ben Thomas ’73, has been a staunch supporter since — contributing funds for necessary staff, mentoring students at the clinic, and speaking on behalf of the program at events for both alumni and veterans alike. Additionally, he has inspired major clinical projects, most recently involving a team of students dedicated to challenging the VA’s handling…

Nov. 8, 2023

Alumni Spotlight — Meet Skip Walther

Skip Walther’s attachment to Columbia and the University of Missouri began early —  through selling carnations and cokes to Tiger fans on game days and watching his Uncle Butch preside over the Boone County Commission. So when it became time to choose a college, it was a no-brainer. “I never even gave it a second thought,” he said. “I just love this place.” Walther’s admiration for the practice of law, too, began in childhood. He frequently interacted with attorneys through his mother’s work as a legal secretary, through his uncle, who he describes as a “second father” while in junior…