Boulder, Colo. – On July 14-15, 2011, twelve junior law professors will converge at the University of Colorado Law School in order to provide input and support for each other’s scholarship in what is hoped to become an annual event.
The first Junior Business Law Conference is the brainchild of business law professor Andrew Schwartz, who wanted to create a forum to encourage a free and diverse exchange of ideas for non-tenured, up-and-coming law professors.
“While we have much to learn from senior business law professors, junior professors are sometimes hesitant to explore new or radical solutions to old problems in a joint forum,” said Schwartz. “The impetus for this conference was to give other junior law professors like myself the opportunity to express their ideas openly and explore them vigorously.”
Schwartz researched law journals and other trade publications in an effort to find other junior law professors who were being noticed by their colleagues. Twelve of the original 15 contacted, representing universities from across the United States, accepted Schwartz’s invitation.
The participants will each submit a draft law journal article of approximately 20,000 – 30,000 words. Each participant will then read all of the submitted articles, which will be reviewed in a series of workshops. In addition, one ‘primary reader’ will be established for each article, who will help to take notes and work with the writer to ensure all feedback is captured.
“My sincere hope is that this conference will take on a life of its own and as we obtain tenure, the new members will carry the conference forward,” said Schwartz.
Schwartz got the idea from fellow Colorado Law professors Victor and Miranda Fleischer, who six years ago were part of a group of junior tax law professors invited to a conference at UC-Berkeley. To continue the intellectual exchange and networking from that conference, Miranda suggested that they start an annual meeting of junior tax law professors. The "Junior Tax" conference has now been hosted by numerous schools across the country, including Boston University, NYU, and this year, UC-Irvine.
"Hosting Junior Tax helped Miranda and I meet top young tax scholars from the nation's best law schools, and those bonds continue to help us in our research and teaching. I think it's terrific that Professor Schwartz is building his own network in business law. The investment will pay dividends for years to come."
About University of Colorado Law School
Established in 1892, the University of Colorado Law School (www.colorado.edu/law) is a top 25 public law school located at the base of the inspiring Rocky Mountains. Colorado Law’s 500 students, selected from among the statistically best applicants in the nation, represent 100 undergraduate institutions and diverse backgrounds. The school has dual degree programs in business, environmental studies, telecommunications, and public affairs. With a low faculty-to-student ratio, its highly published faculty is dedicated to interacting with students inside and outside the classroom. The school’s 8 clinics and 4 centers focus on areas of strength, including natural resources and environmental, American Indian, juvenile and family, telecommunications policy, and sustainable energy law. Colorado Law’s graduates are leaders in their profession and committed to public interest work.
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