Laura J. Hines

Laura J. Hines is a Professor and Centennial Teaching Professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, directing the Shook, Hardy & Bacon Center for Excellence in Advocacy. Her expertise spans Civil Procedure, Complex Litigation, and Remedies. She previously clerked for Chief Judge Donald P. Lay of the 8th Circuit and practiced at Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. Hines holds a B.A. from Brown University (1987) and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School (1991), where she served as a Michigan Law Review Note Editor.

Her research focuses on aggregate litigation, class actions, punitive damages, and mass torts. She has authored influential articles in top journals like George Washington Law Review and Indiana Law Journal, and frequently consults on class certification law. Notable works include critiques of issue class actions and analyses of procedural challenges in mass tort cases.

Hines’ career progression includes roles as Associate Professor (1998–2004) and full Professor (2004–present). She has been honored as the Centennial Teaching Professor since 2019, recognizing her contributions to legal education and advocacy training.

Her professional memberships include active licensure in D.C. (1992) and Minnesota (1991).