VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

WESEMANN HALL

656 S. GREENWICH STREET

VALPARAISO, INDIANA 46383

Telephone: (219) 465-7829

Fax: (219) 465-7872

valpolaw@valpo.edu URL: http://www.valpo.edu/law

Overview

The Valparaiso University School of Law is recognized for the following four traits:

 

Exceptional Legal Research and Writing: According to a survey by the American Bar Foundation, hiring partners at law firms ranked research and writing skills as the most important skill set a new lawyer can bring to the job. It is common for law schools to require one year of legal writing. Valparaiso requires students to enroll in three years of both legal writing and legal research.

 

Enduring Core Competencies: No matter how much the world and laws change, no matter how often attorneys change their practice, there are certain constants: the ability to engage in critical, analytical, and creative thinking, and the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. These core competencies comprise the cornerstone of a Valparaiso education.

 

Truly Personal Manner of Teaching and Learning: The teaching and learning style of Valparaiso is highly collaborative and integrated. Valparaiso strives to provide a legal education that is tailored to the aspirations of each student. Every pedagogical component, including the intentionally smaller student body, is designed to help law students, as individuals, succeed in their professional endeavors.

 

Law as a Calling: Valparaiso is a community dedicated to imparting not just skills and knowledge, but values, the sense of self, and the commitment to service. Our graduates are not just good lawyers, but good people. Not just successful men and women, but noble men and women. Not just influential lawyers and leaders, but ones who use their influence for the highest service and the profoundest good.

 

Valparaiso University School of Law is one of six colleges of Valparaiso University (www.valpo.edu), a private university affiliated with the Lutheran church.  The other five colleges include an honors college, Christ College; the College of Nursing; the College of Engineering; the College of Business Administration; and the College of Liberal Arts. The campus is located in the Chicago exurb of Valparaiso, one hour from the Chicago Loop in Northwest Indiana.

 

The School of Law offers full‑time, part‑time, and accelerated programs leading to the Juris Doctor degree.  It also offers dual J.D./Masters degree programs and an LL.M. for foreign lawyers.

 

The School of Law enrolls approximately 550 students, drawn from over 140 colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. There are over 4,000 alumni around the world.  Alumni include lawyers in large and small firms; attorneys in general counsel offices; federal and state judges; academics; businesspersons; and leaders of nonprofit organizations.

 

Valparaiso is the only American law school with a sports law clinic that offers free legal services to amateur athletes. The Sports Law Clinic, founded in 2005, attended the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, and recently defeated the U.S. Anti‑Doping Agency in USADA vs. Jenkins, the first athletic victory in USADA's five‑year history.

 

A summer program of international and comparative law studies is offered annually in Cambridge, England. Courses are taught by faculty and distinguished visitors, among them several United States Supreme Court Justices.  A second summer program in international human rights with the Universidad de Valparaiso in Chile, commenced in the summer of 2007.

 

Skills education is an important part of the School of Law's curriculum and programs. The Law Clinic, which was established in 1965, offers a civil clinic, a criminal clinic, a tax clinic, a juvenile clinic, a domestic violence clinic, a sports law clinic, and a mediation clinic. Approximately 40% of Valparaiso University School of Law students participate in one of these clinics, which provide free legal services to over 700 members of the community each year.

 

A wealth of externships is available in federal and state agencies, prosecutor and public defender offices, public service organizations, and other institutions.

 

Students participate in many practice competitions. The prestigious Luther M. Swygert Moot Court competition is held each year; judges include members of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Indiana Supreme Court, federal district courts, and in some years the United States Supreme Court.  The student Moot Court Society enters student teams in ten national competitions annually.  Teams also compete in ATLA Mock Trial competitions, client counseling and negotiating competitions, and other moot court competitions.

 

Several endowed annual lectureships enrich the life of the School. The Monsanto Lecture brings a leading scholar in law or economics to speak on issues in tort law or reform. The Seegers Lecture brings a leading legal scholar or philosopher to speak on the topic in jurisprudence or legal theory. The Tabor Institute brings to campus a leading scholar in legal ethics to deliver two lectures, one for practicing lawyers in the community and one for those interested in scholarly issues in the field. The Indiana Supreme Court lectureship offers a national speaker on a topic of current interest to the academy and the profession.

 

A graduation requirement is that law students provide 20 hours of pro bono activity in the form of legal service, government, or nonprofit work. Many students perform more than 40 hours, and those that do are recognized at graduation with Public Service Honors.

 

Students who work in public service during the summer are eligible for financial assistance through the Summer Public Interest Scholarship program.  Graduates who commit to working in public interest positions following graduation may apply for loan repayment assistance through the School of Law's Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

 

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Dean:

Jay Conison (219) 465‑7834

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & International Program:

Mark Adams (219) 465‑7845

Associate Dean for Administration:

Curtis Cichowski (219) 465‑7841

Associate Dean for Library Services:

Mary G. Persyn (219) 465‑7830

Associate Dean for Faculty Development:

JoEllen Lind (219) 465‑7861

Director of Student Services:

Joseph Baruffi

Assistant Director of Student Financial Planning:

Ann F. Weitgenant (219) 465‑7818

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FULL TIME FACULTY

 

JAY CONISON, (Dean and Professor of Law), born October 21, 1953; admitted to bar, 1981, Illinois. Education: Yale College (B.A., 1975); University of Minnesota (M.A., 1978; J.D., 1981). COURSES: Employee Benefit Plans. Email: jay.conison@valpo.edu

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MARK L. ADAMS, (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Director of International Programs, Professor of Law), born Chicago, Illinois, December 30, 1960; admitted to bar, 1989, Washington. Education: Williams College (B.A., 1983); University of Chicago (J.D., 1988). COURSES: Contracts, Employment Law, Labor Law, Labor Arbitration, Legal Writing and Research. Email: mark.adams@valpo.edu

 

PENELOPE E. ANDREWS, (Professor of Law), admitted to bar, 1989, South Africa. Education: University of Natal (B.A., 1980; LL.B., 1982); Columbia University (LL.M., 1984). COURSES: International Human Rights Law, Lawyering, Race & the Law, Torts. Email: penelope.andrews@valpo.edu

 

BRUCE G. BERNER, (Louis and Anna Seegers Professor of Law), born Brooklyn, New York, November 13, 1943; admitted to bar, 1967, New Jersey; 1974, Indiana. Education: Valparaiso University (B.A., 1965; LL.B., 1967); Yale University (LL.M., 1978). COURSES: Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Torts. Email: bruce.berner@valpo.edu

 

ROBERT BLOMQUIST, (Professor of Law), born Elizabeth, New Jersey, October 9, 1951; admitted to bar, 1977, New Jersey; 1986, Indiana. Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.S., 1973); Cornell University (J.D., 1977). COURSES: Environmental, Legislation, Torts. Email: robert.blomquist@valpo.edu

 

PETER BLUM, (Assistant Professor of Law and Coordinator of the Legal Writing Program), born 1964; admitted to bar, 1993, New Jersey. Education: Dickinson College (B.A., 1986); Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 1993). COURSES: Legal Research & Writing. Email: peter.blum@valpo.edu

 

IVAN E. BODENSTEINER, (Professor of Law), born February 14, 1943; admitted to bar, 1968, Indiana; 1970, Colorado. Education: Loras College (B.A., 1965); University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1968). COURSES: Civil Procedure, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Evidence. Email: ivan.bodensteiner@valpo.edu

 

PAUL H. BRIETZKE, (Professor of Law), born Chicago, Illinois, July 30, 1944; admitted to bar, 1969, Wisconsin. Education: Lake Forest College (B.A., 1966); University of Wisconsin (J.D., 1969); University of London (Ph.D., 1981). COURSES: Law and Economics, Antitrust, Contracts, International Human Rights. Email: paul.brietzke@valpo.edu

 

GENEVA BROWN, (Assistant Professor of Law), born Chicago, Illinois; admitted to bar, 1993, Wisconsin. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.A., 1988); University of Illinois ‑ Chicago (M.A., 2003); University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1993). COURSES: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare. Email: geneva.brown@valpo.edu

 

ZACHARY R. CALO, (Assistant Professor of Law), born 1976; admitted to bar, 2005, Maryland; 2006, District of Columbia. Education: Johns Hopkins University (B.A., 1997; M.A., 1997); University of Virginia (J.D., 2005); University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D., 2007). COURSES: Secured Transactions, Legal History, Jurisprudence, Law & Religion, Business Ethics. Email: zachary.calo@valpo.edu

 

DERRICK A. CARTER, (Associate Professor of Law), born Detroit, Michigan, January 17, 1950; admitted to bar, 1975, Michigan. Education: Eastern Michigan University (B.S., 1972); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1975). COURSES: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Legal Process, Trial and Appellate Advocacy, Pretrial Skills. Email: derrick.carter@valpo.edu

 

BRUCE CHING, (Visiting Assistant Professor of Law), born Honolulu, Hawaii; admitted to bar, Michigan. Education: University of Missouri (B.A., 1988); University of Michigan (M.A., 1990; J.D., 1996). COURSES: Legal Research, Writing & Advocacy. Email: bruce.ching@valpo.edu

 

CURTIS W. CICHOWSKI, (Associate Dean for Administration and Lecturer in Law), born Oak Park, Illinois, July 27, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Indiana. Education: Carroll College (B.A., 1978); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1981). COURSES: Copyright, International Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property, Trademark & Unfair Competition. Email: curt.cichowski@valpo.edu

 

LAURA GASTON DOOLEY, (Michael and Dianne Swygert Research Fellow and Professor of Law), born Little Rock, Arkansas, September 1, 1960; admitted to bar, 1986, Missouri. Education: University of Arkansas (B.A., 1982); Washington University (J.D., 1986). COURSES: Civil Procedure, Complex Litigation, Legal Ethics, Feminist Legal Theory. Email: laura.dooley@valpo.edu

 

EDWARD MCGLYNN GAFFNEY, JR., (Professor of Law), born San Francisco, California, August 18, 1941; admitted to bar, 1975, District of Columbia; 1991, California. Education: St. Patrick's College (B.A., 1963); Gregorian University (S.T.L., 1967); Catholic University of America (J.D., 1974; M.A., 1975); Harvard University (LL.M., 1976). COURSES: Appellate Advocacy, Comparative Law, Constitutional Law, International Law, Jurisprudence, and Professional Responsibility.

 

MARCIA L. GIENAPP, (Professor of Law), born Trenton, Michigan, January 25, 1951; admitted to bar, 1977, Michigan; 1978, Indiana. Education: Valparaiso University (B.A., 1973; J.D., 1977). COURSES: Clinic. Email: marcia.gienapp@valpo.edu

 

REBECCA JEAN HUSS, (Professor of Law), born Cedar Rapids, Iowa, July 24, 1967; admitted to bar, 1992, Washington; 1995, Iowa; 1996 Missouri and Kansas. Education: University of Northern Iowa (B.A., 1989); University of Richmond (J.D., 1992); University of Iowa (LL.M., 1995). COURSES: Business Planning, Business Associations, International Arbitration, Mediation & Litigation, U.C.C., Mergers and Acquisitions. Email: rebecca.huss@valpo.edu

 

PAUL M. KOHLHOFF, (Associate Professor of Law), born 1958; admitted to bar, 1986, Indiana. Education: Purdue University (B.S., 1981); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1986). COURSES: Business Law, Tax.

 

ROSALIE BERGER LEVINSON, (Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Professor of Law), born Gary, Indiana, December 22, 1948; admitted to bar, 1973, Indiana. Education: Indiana University (B.A., 1969; M.A., 1970); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1973). COURSES: Constitutional Law, Federal Practice, Civil Rights. Email: rosalie.levinson@valpo.edu

 

JOELLEN LIND, (Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Law), born October 30, 1950; admitted to bar, 1975, California; 1986, Utah; 1988, Indiana. Education: Stanford University (A.B., 1972); University of California at Los Angeles (J.D., 1975). COURSES: Civil Procedure, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Theory. Email: joellen.lind@valpo.edu

 

SEYMOUR MOSKOWITZ, (Professor of Law), admitted to bar, 1968, New York; 1969, Indiana; 1975, Massachusetts; 1982, Connecticut. Education: Columbia University (B.A., 1962); Harvard University (J.D., 1966). COURSES: Administrative Law, Labor Law, Health Care Law, Pretrial Skills, Family Law. Email: seymour.moskowitz@valpo.edu

 

MICHAEL MURRAY, (Visiting Associate Professor of Law), born 1965; admitted to bar, 1990, Missouri; 1991, Illinois. Education: Fudan University, Shanghai (Certification, Chinese, 1986); Loyola College, Maryland (B.A., 1987); Columbia Law School (J.D., 1990). COURSES: Art Law, Civil Procedure, First Amendment and Censorship, International Art and Cultural Heritage, International Civil Liberties: Freedom of Expression; Introduction to Advocacy, Legal Research and Writing, Legal Writing and Analysis, and Professional Responsibility Advocacy. Email: michael.murray@valpo.edu

 

DAVID A. MYERS, (Michael and Dianne Swygert Teaching Fellow and Professor of Law), Education: Drake University (B.A., 1973); University of Illinois (J.D., 1976). COURSES: Property, Entertainment Law. Email: david.myers@valpo.edu

 

CLARE NUECHTERLEIN, (Assistant Professor of Law), born Rochester, New York, February 2, 1950; admitted to bar, 1979, Indiana. Education: Valparaiso University (B.A., 1972; M.A., 1975; J.D., 1978). COURSES: Legal Writing and Reasoning, Pretrial Skills, Terrorism. Email: clare.nuechterlein@valpo.edu

 

MARY G. PERSYN, (Associate Dean for Library Services and Associate Professor of Law), born Elizabeth, New Jersey, February 25, 1945; admitted to bar, 1982, Indiana. Education: Creighton University (A.B., 1967); University of Oregon (M.L.S., 1969); University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1982). COURSES: Legal Research. Email: mary.persyn@valpo.edu

 

JOHN J. POTTS, (Professor of Law), Education: University of New Mexico (B.A., 1969); Northeastern University (M.S., 1975); Boston College School of Law (J.D., 1974). COURSES: Individual Taxation, Corporate & Partnership Taxation, Corporate Reorganization Taxation, Family Taxation. Email: john.potts@valpo.edu

 

BARBARA JEAN SCHMIDT, (Professor of Law), born Plymouth, Wisconsin, May 22, 1948; admitted to bar, 1973, Wisconsin and Indiana. Education: Valparaiso University (B.A., 1970; J.D., 1973). COURSES: Clinical Program. Email: barbara.schmidt@valpo.edu

 

RICHARD STITH, (Professor of Law), born Corvallis, Oregon, November 17, 1944; admitted to bar, 1974, Indiana. Education: Harvard University (A.B., 1965); University of California, Berkeley (M.A., 1967); Yale University (M.Phil., 1971; J.D., 1973; Ph.D., 1973). COURSES: Jurisprudence, Comparative Law, Legal History, European Union, Criminal Law. Email: richard.stith@valpo.edu

 

MICHAEL S. STRAUBEL, (Associate Professor of Law), born Spokane, Washington, November 4, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Wisconsin; 1982, Michigan. Education: Western Michigan University (B.S., 1979); Marquette University (J.D., 1982); McGill University (LL.M., 1989). COURSES: International Law, International Business, Air and Space Law, Insurance Law, Legal Writing, and Appellate Advocacy. Email: michael.straubel@valpo.edu

 

SUSAN STUART, (Associate Professor of Law), born Lafayette, Indiana, May 6, 1951; admitted to bar, 1982, Indiana. Education: DePauw University (B.A., 1973); Valparaiso University (M.Ed., 1976); Indiana University (J.D., 1982). COURSES: Legal Research & Writing, Remedies, Education Law. Email: susan.stuart@valpo.edu

 

D.A. JEREMY TELMAN, (Associate Professor of Law), born 1963; admitted to bar, 2000, New York. Education: Columbia University (B.A., 1985); Cornell University (M.A., 1989; Ph.D., 1993); New York University School of Law (J.D., 1999). COURSES: International Law. Email: jeremy.telman@valpo.edu

 

BERNARD R. TRUJILLO, (Professor of Law), born 1966; admitted to bar, 1994, Pennsylvania; 1996, District of Columbia. Education: Princeton University (A.B., 1988); Yale Law School (J.D., 1992). COURSES: Bankruptcy/Creditors' and Debtors' Rights, Corporate Finance, International, Immigration, Mexican Migration to U.S. Email: bernard.trujillo@valpo.edu

 

RUTH C. VANCE, (Professor of Law), born Detroit, Michigan, October 4, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Indiana. Education: Olivet College (B.A., 1979); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1982). COURSES: Legal Writing Reasoning and Research, Workers Compensation, Employment Rights, Pretrial Skills, Negotiation Alternative Dispute Resolution. Email: ruth.vance@valpo.edu

 

DAVID E. VANDERCOY, (Director of Clinical and Skills Training Programs and Professor of Law), born Corry, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1949; admitted to bar, 1974, Pennsylvania; 1980, Indiana. Education: Pennsylvania State University (B.A., 1971); Dickinson School of Law (J.D., 1974); New York University (LL.M., 1980). COURSES: Litigation, Criminal, Ethics, Torts. Email: david.vandercoy@law.valpo.edu

 

DAVID MILTON WELTER, (Professor of Law), born Blue Island, Illinois, December 24, 1959; admitted to bar, 1990, Indiana. Education: Valparaiso University (B.A., 1983; J.D., 1990). COURSES: Criminal Law Clinic. Email: david.welter@valpo.edu

 

ALAN M. WHITE, (Assistant Professor of Law), admitted to bar, 1984, New York; 1986, Pennsylvania. Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S., 1979); New York University School of Law (J.D., 1983). COURSES: Contracts, Bankruptcy, UCC, Civil Procedure, Real Property, Financial Services Regulation, Consumer Protection, Comparative Law. Email: alan.white@valpo.edu

 

LINDA S. WHITTON, (Professor of Law), born Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 1, 1958; admitted to bar, 1986, Indiana. Education: Valparaiso University (B.A., 1979; J.D., 1986). COURSES: Elder Law, Business Planning, Property. Email: linda.whitton@valpo.edu