Paul D. Bennett

Paul D. Bennett is the Charles E. Ares Professor of Law and Director of the Child and Family Law Clinic at the University of Arizona College of Law. He has been a faculty member since 1996, previously serving as overall Director of Clinics (2015-2022) and co-director of the Veteran's Advocacy Law Clinic (2012-2013). His roles include teaching courses on Professional Responsibility, Law and Humanities, and Juvenile Law. He holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School (1976) and B.A. from Bates College (1973).

Professor Bennett's research and advocacy focus on children's rights in juvenile and family courts, emphasizing meaningful child participation in legal proceedings. He co-authored A Short & Happy Guide to Being a Lawyer (2021) and contributed to landmark reports on judicial diversity and professionalism. He leads the Himelic Juvenile Detention Teaching Program, engaging law students in educational outreach to detained youth.

Notable contributions include authoring Arizona Supreme Court Commission reports on judicial diversity (2012, 2017) - the first comprehensive state-level studies of their kind - and addressing racial disparities in juvenile justice. His service roles include membership on the Arizona Supreme Court’s Commission on Diversity, Equality and Justice, and co-chairing the State Bar of Arizona’s Task Force on Professionalism (2004-2006).

• Education:
  • J.D., Cornell Law School, 1976
  • B.A., Bates College, 1973
• Awards:
  • John Strong Teaching Award (2010)
  • President's Award, State Bar of Arizona (2005)
  • Lifetime Community Service Award (1996)

His advocacy extends beyond academia through leadership in legal aid organizations, including prior partnerships with the Orleans Legal Aid Bureau and Chemung County Neighborhood Legal Services. Bennett's work integrates clinical education with systemic reform efforts, emphasizing ethics and equity in legal practice.