Brian Leiter's Law School Reports

In Memoriam: Roger Fisher (1922-2012)

A leading figure in negotiation and conflict resolution, Professor Fisher spent his academic career at Harvard.  The HLS memorial notice is here.

In Memoriam: Ann Scales

Professor Ann Scales, from the University of Denver School of Law faculty, passed away Sunday.  She was 60.  Scales, a feminist law scholar, previously taught at the University of New Mexico School of Law.  Al Brophy writes more about her here.

In Memoriam: Louis Pollak

Judge Louis Pollak, former dean of both Yale and Penn Law, passed away yesterday.  I've posted a bit more length here.

In Memoriam: Ann Richardson

Professor Ann Bishop Richardson, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law died on April 17.  She joined UDC in 1994 and taught for a number of years in the school's Public Entitlements clinic.    Richardson was 71.

In Memoriam: John Kidwell

John Kidwell, Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin School of Law, passed away on Saturday.  Kidwell joined the Wisconsin faculty in 1972 and took emeritus status in 2005.  He published in a variety of areas, including contracts, IP, and property.  He was 66.

In Memoriam: Hunter Tart

I am particularly sad to report the passing of my young colleague John Hunter Tart after a very brief illness.  Hunter was a visiting assistant professor at Drexel Law, having joined us just this past August.  He was a brilliant mathemetician who, after completing his M.S. at Stanford, chose to redirect his career toward law.  He graduated from NYU Law, clerked for Judges John Koetl (SDNY) and Pauline Newman (Fed. Cir.), and joined Drexel immediately thereafter.  He had an incredibly deep knowledge of intellectual property law and was a quiet, kind soul.  Hunter's passing was entirely unexpected and particularly heart wrenching.  He was 38.

Update:  I have been receiving inquiries about the memorial service.  Details are here. 

In Memoriam: Katherine Darmer

Mary Katherine Baird Darmer, a professor at Chapman University School of Law, died this past week.  Initial details are here.  She was 47.  Darmer was an expert in criminal law.  She was also a founding member of the Orange County Equality Coaltion, a gay righs organization. A candlelight vigil will be held in Darmer's memory at 7 p.m. tonight on the front steps of Chapman School of Law.

In Memoriam: Charles Haar

Charles Haar, the Louis D. Brandeis Professor of Law, Emeritus at Harvard Law School passed away on January 10.  He was 91.  Haar joined the Harvard faculty as an assistant professor in 1952.  After becoming an emeritus faculty member at Harvard, he taught at the University of Miami School of Law.  He was an expert in land use, urban development and property law.  Among his various achievements,  Haar was one of the key draftsmen responsible for developing four of President Johnson's important urban policy initiatives: the Demonstration and Model Cities Act of 1966; the Safe Streets and Crime Control Act of 1968; Title IV of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (New Communities); and the Section 236 Affordable Housing Guarantee Program.

In Memoriam: Hans Smit

Professor Hans Smit, an international arbitration scholar at Columbia Law School, passed away Saturday.  He was 84.  Smit, who was born in Holland, was a significant figure both within the law school and in the international legal community.  He had been at Columbia for 50 years, having joined its faculty in 1960.  

In Memoriam: Robert Fletcher

Professor Bob Fletcher, a retired faculty member at the University of Washington, the husband of retired Ninth Circuit Judge Betty Fletcher, and father of Ninth Circuit Judge William Fletcher, died last week.  He was 93.  He was an active member of the UW faculty from 1956-89 and later taught at Hastings, Seattle, and Vermont.