The 2025–26 academic year marked a significant step forward for The University of Tulsa’s College of Law. Across every measure that matters – student success, academic excellence, professional outcomes and institutional investment – the college continued to build momentum and strengthen its position as a leader in legal education.
Among the year’s most notable achievements was a seven-place rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, the college’s first upward movement since 2018. Student outcomes continued to improve as well, with employment rates exceeding 93%. Our graduates also demonstrated exceptional success on the bar examination. In February, 12 of 13 first-time takers from the December 2025 graduating class passed the bar, underscoring the strength of our academic and professional preparation programs. Our Health Law Moot Court team stood as national champions in November, and our Reproductive Rights Practicum continued to provide impactful research and insight for practitioners and policy makers around the country.
This year also marked the launch of the Tulsa Legacy 100 Project, an ambitious initiative designed to strengthen the college’s infrastructure in three critical areas: academic support, bar preparation and professional development. The project reflects our commitment to ensuring that every student has the tools necessary to succeed in law school and in practice. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the college secured nearly $500,000 in pledges to support this effort. These investments will allow us to expand job placement and academic advising services while advancing our long-term goals of 100% bar passage and 100% job placement – metrics that reflect the college’s impact on students’ lives and the investment in the future we have made together.
The intellectual life of the college remained exceptionally vibrant throughout the year. We welcomed a distinguished group of scholars, judges, practitioners and public leaders whose work challenged our students and enriched our community. Featured lecturers included Professor Stephen Vladeck, who delivered the Hager Lecture; Judge Timothy Walmsley, who presented the Buck Colbert Franklin Lecture; Amy Perko, who delivered the Kuehn Lecture; and Maria Kolar, who served as the Seymour lecturer.
In addition, students and faculty engaged with an outstanding roster of guest speakers, including Andrew McCanse Wright of K&L Gates, Maurice Ruffin of Louisiana State University, Timothy Dodsworth of the University of Reading and Daniel Fryer of the University of Michigan. The college also hosted a special live recording of the popular “Three Whisky Happy Hour” podcast featuring Steven Woodward of the University of Texas, John Yoo of the University of California, Berkeley and the ever-enigmatic but always entertaining Lucretia.
The year also provided opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of our own faculty. We hosted inaugural lectures for newly appointed endowed chairs Janet Levit and Johnny Parker, while also honoring the remarkable career of Professor Charles Adams, who delivered his final lecture before retiring after 49 years of service to UTulsa Law. Meanwhile, the Tulsa Law Review Symposium once again showcased the scholarly achievements of our students and faculty while contributing to contemporary legal discourse.
The college’s continued growth was reflected in the addition of several outstanding faculty and staff members. We welcomed Michael Motala as assistant professor of law, Nicholas Mignanelli as assistant dean of the Mabee Legal Information Center and associate professor of law, Grace Carson as visiting assistant professor of law, Pedro Malavet as visiting professor of law, Paolo Farah as visiting professor of law and Morgan Moore as director of professional development, among others. Their expertise and leadership further strengthen our teaching, scholarship and student support missions.
All of these efforts are possible because together we stand arm in arm, dedicated to the prosperity and richness of our community, building on curiosity to instill competence and lifting up the legacies of the past to pave the way for our future.
Reign Juris-Canes!