Michael Pappas

Michael Pappas is a Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research at the University of Colorado Law School. He specializes in property, natural resource, and environmental law, integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from economics and political economy into his scholarship.

His research focuses on property expectations, governmental responsibilities, and private rights in managing resources such as land, energy, water, wildlife, fisheries, and food. Previously, he served as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law from 2017-2020 and was recognized as Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year in 2014.

He holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from Stanford University, and clerked for the Hon. James L. Dennis on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has also taught at Tulane University Law School and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.