2026-2027 UTulsa Law Preview
There is a special energy that arrives with the start of a new academic year. New students enter our halls, faculty and staff return from summer projects and the anticipation of the first day of classes fills the College of Law with excitement. This year promises to be particularly remarkable, with an outstanding lineup of speakers, programs and events that will engage both our students and alumni.
On Oct. 20, the college will host Thomas W. Mitchell as our B.C. Franklin Lecturer. Mitchell is the Robert F. Drinan, S.J. Professor of Law and director of the Initiative on Land, Housing & Property Rights at Boston College Law School. In 2020, he received a MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “Genius Grant,” for his groundbreaking scholarship on heirs’ property. His expertise is especially relevant to the growing work of our B.C. Franklin Legal Clinic, which has increasingly focused on heirs’ property issues during the past two years.
On Nov. 16, the Dana Kuehn Symposium on Law and Justice will feature Terry Anderson of Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and Dominic Parker of the University of Wisconsin. Their scholarship on Indigenous economies, property rights and tribal self-determination has significantly influenced discussions surrounding economic development in Native communities.
Our annual Hager Lecture, scheduled for March 8, will feature Usha Rodrigues, dean of the University of Georgia School of Law and a nationally recognized expert in corporate law, securities regulation and business ethics. Rodrigues has testified before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, presented before the Securities and Exchange Commission and is regularly quoted in leading publications, including The New York Times, Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Later in the spring, the Seymour Lecture will welcome Michelle Oberman of Santa Clara University School of Law. Oberman is internationally recognized for her scholarship on reproductive rights and health law, and her lecture promises to engage the campus community in thoughtful discussion of some of the most important legal and social issues of our time.
In addition to these marquee events, UTulsa Law’s annual faculty workshop series will feature presentations from Steve Clowney (University of Arkansas), Carliss Chatman (SMU Dedman School of Law), Evan Absher (University of Missouri-Kansas City) and Hannah Bloch-Wehba (Texas A&M University School of Law).
American Arbitration Association Certifies 23 Students as Mediators
We began the academic year with a tremendous success as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) partnered with the College of Law to provide intensive mediation training for our students. Over the course of a 40-hour certification program, 23 students completed the training and earned certification as mediators.
The program was led by AAA professionals Steve Anderson, Elizabeth Bain and Jim Reiman, alongside UTulsa faculty and staff members Grace Carson, Margo Shipley, Kate Leber and Hope Forsyth, who contributed their expertise and support throughout the week. We were also fortunate to have assistance from alumni, including Ed Lindsey, whose involvement enriched the experience for participants.
A special highlight of the program occurred when representatives from the Chickasaw Nation Peacekeepers Program introduced students to Indigenous peacekeeping traditions and conflict-resolution practices. This unique perspective provided students with valuable insights into alternative approaches to mediation and dispute resolution.
Public Interest Board and New Student Orientation
As part of new student orientation, 120 incoming first-year students spent time aiding local organizations, demonstrating the commitment to public service that is at the heart of the legal profession.
Students participated in a variety of service projects across Tulsa in partnership with eight local nonprofits: Emergency Infant Services, Iron Gate, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Catholic Charities, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Tulsa SPCA, Whittier-Maple Ridge Community Garden and Kendall Whittier Emergency Food Pantry.
Students rolled up their sleeves to garden, pack food, clean facilities, organize supplies and support each organization’s mission. Beyond helping community partners, the day provided an opportunity for our newest students to connect with one another, learn about needs within Tulsa and begin their legal education with a spirit of service and engagement.
These experiences reflect a core value of The University of Tulsa’s College of Law: preparing lawyers who not only excel professionally but also make meaningful contributions to their communities. As we begin another academic year, we are excited to see the impact this remarkable class will have on campus and beyond.
Bits and Pieces
- The College of Law and its Alumni Board honored Kevinn Matthews (J.D. ’98) for his service to the college as a mentor and supporter. Thank you, Kevinn.
- Former U.S. District Judge Layn Phillips (B.S. ’74, J.D. ’77) spoke at Nashville CLE Inside Mega-Mediations.
- Assistant Professor of Law Gwendolyn Savitz agreed to publish her article “The End of the Bargain: Why Enforcement ALJs Must Leave the Independent Agencies” in the next volume of the Texas Tech Law Review.