Beth LaCanne is an Adjunct Professor and Tutor at Mitchell Hamline University School of Law, where she teaches Legal Methods and supports students through the Office of Academic Excellence. A graduate of the university’s part-time JD program in 2014, she clerked for Judges Diane Bratvold and Ivy Bernhardson in the Fourth Judicial District before practicing insurance defense litigation at Goetz & Eckland since 2016.
John Mulé is an Adjunct Professor at Mitchell Hamline University, teaching courses in Income Tax. He currently serves as Director of Legal and Policy Services at the Minnesota State Board of Investment, overseeing legal support for over $130 billion in assets under management. Previously, Mulé worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General, representing the Department of Revenue and other state agencies in litigation. Education: J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law (2011), graduated magna cum laude and Editor-in-Chief of the Hamline Law Review LL.M. in Taxation, University of Florida Levin College of Law (2012) Research Interests: Mulé's academic and professional focus lies in Tax Law, Income Tax, Legal Services, Public Finance, Asset Management, and Corporate Law, driven by his legal practice and teaching responsibilities.
Grace O’Connor is an Adjunct Professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the civil team in Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. She represents county offices on civil issues and has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts. Education: Cum laude graduate of Bates College (2000), magna cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law (2005) Professional Roles: Former Assistant Attorney General for Washington State, clerked for Washington State Supreme Court Justices Bobbe J. Bridge and Debra L. Stephens Legal Focus: Civil litigation, government law, and support for civil legal aid organizations O’Connor’s career bridges academic instruction in law with practical legal service, emphasizing public sector representation and judicial processes.
Evan C. Tsai is an adjunct faculty member and legal writing instructor at Metropolitan State University , alongside his role as a defense attorney and litigator with the League of Minnesota Cities . A United States Marine Corps veteran honorably discharged in 1999, Tsai also practices criminal defense and serves in legal advocacy roles. Education : J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law (co-founder of the William Mitchell Journal of Law and Practice), B.A. from the University of Minnesota Research interests focus on legal writing pedagogy, criminal defense strategies, and intersections between public health law and veterans' rights. His teaching incorporates hybrid/advocacy-based methodologies. Notable awards include: CALI Award in Public Health Law Robert E. Oliphant Marine Corps Scholarship Tsai actively engages in legal education outreach as a guest speaker at institutions like the University of Minnesota and as a mock trial judge. He contributes to veterans' legal support through roles at the Veterans Defense Project and Anoka County Veterans Treatment Court , while also performing with the band The Family Feedbag and volunteering with legal service organizations.
Amy Dimitriadis is an Assistant Professor of Law and Co-Director of the nationally recognized Trial Advocacy Program at the Massachusetts School of Law (MSLAW). She teaches core legal courses including Civil Procedure, Evidence, Contracts, Uniform Commercial Code, and Bar Essay Writing, and serves as coach for MSLAW’s trial advocacy team and as an academic advisor. Education: B.A. in Philosophy, magna cum laude, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA J.D., cum laude, Massachusetts School of Law Her research and teaching interests focus on practical legal training and advocacy skills. She specializes in trial preparation, civil litigation procedures, and evidence, contributing significantly to legal education through classroom instruction and hands-on coaching. Her work emphasizes skill development for real-world legal practice, especially in the areas of trial advocacy and procedural law. Professor Dimitriadis is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, the U.S. District Courts for both states, and the United States Supreme Court. She previously worked as an associate attorney handling employment discrimination, personal injury, consumer fraud, and business litigation cases. She is the co-author of Trial Prep for Paralegals (Coyne/Dimitriadis, NITA 2019), a resource designed to enhance paralegal training in trial preparation. As a dedicated legal educator, she supports students through academic advising and leadership in MSLAW’s advocacy programs. There are no listed scientific awards or research grants, but her contributions to legal pedagogy and student development are central to her role. She is actively involved in MSLAW’s academic and extracurricular initiatives, particularly in advancing the trial advocacy program and supporting student success in bar preparation and litigation skills.
Dr. Leanne Smith is a family law researcher at the University of Exeter Law School, focusing on parenting disputes, access to family justice, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Her work combines empirical studies of legal systems with innovative approaches to knowledge dissemination, including digital tools and peer support networks. Current research explores public legal education resources Investigates parenting apps and online community support Former trustee at Family Mediation Cymru Member of interdisciplinary Network on Family, Regulation and Society Her research interests span family law, socio-legal studies, and legal education innovation. Notable contributions include studies on litigants in person, McKenzie Friends, and Separated Parents Information Programmes (SPIPs). Dr. Smith has received recognition for her teaching excellence, including being shortlisted for the Oxford University Press Law Teacher of the Year award and winning Cardiff University's 'Most Effective Teacher' award in 2014.
Damon J. Vidrine, DrPH, MS is a Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) . He specializes in smoking cessation research, particularly for populations with HIV/AIDS, using mobile health (mHealth) interventions and behavioral science frameworks. His work addresses health disparities , chronic disease management , and addiction treatment through innovative clinical trials and policy-focused studies. Education: DrPH in Public Health, University of Oklahoma (2017) Key Research Areas: mHealth, HIV, smoking cessation, behavioral economics, health policy Recent Publications highlight his leadership in randomized controlled trials for mobile-delivered cessation programs, machine learning for relapse prediction, and cost-effectiveness analyses of interventions targeting low-income populations. His studies often involve cultural adaptation and socioeconomic factors in global health contexts (e.g., Cambodia, Vietnam). Scientific Awards: Not explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. However, his collaborations with institutions like the Stephenson Cancer Center and NIH-funded projects underscore his academic impact. Advising & Grants: While direct student lists are absent, he co-authors studies with researchers like David W. Wetter , Thanh C. Bui , and Michael S. Businelle . His work includes grants from the National Cancer Institute and NIH, focusing on behavioral interventions and health equity . Labs & Teams: Affiliated with OUHSC’s Health Promotion Research Center and collaborative networks like the Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resource (OSCTR).
Larry Kanter is an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Southern Methodist University, specializing in forensic accounting and financial statement fraud. With over 20 years of experience in Big 4 firms and international consulting, he has served as a partner at PwC and Ernst & Young, leading complex forensic engagements. His expertise includes GAAP compliance, fraud investigation, and economic damage quantification. He holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and contributes to the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants' Business Valuations, Forensics, and Litigation Services Committee. His publications focus on legal-economic damage frameworks and big data applications in forensic accounting.
Darby Dickerson serves as President and Dean of Southwestern Law School, where she leads institutional strategy and academic programs. She holds advanced degrees from The College of William & Mary (B.A., M.A.) and Vanderbilt University School of Law (J.D.). Her professional trajectory includes deanships at four law schools: UIC John Marshall Law School (where she orchestrated its merger into the University of Illinois Chicago), Texas Tech University School of Law, and Stetson University College of Law. She previously clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and practiced commercial litigation. Dickerson's research examines critical issues in legal pedagogy and academic administration, with concentrations in: Curriculum design for legal writing and research Bar passage analytics and academic support systems Ethical frameworks for higher education administration Leadership communication in academic institutions Plagiarism prevention and academic integrity systems Technology integration in legal education Her scholarship demonstrates consistent focus on improving legal pedagogy through empirical analysis of student performance metrics and innovative teaching methodologies. Recent work explores digital collaboration in online legal education and diversity initiatives in faculty hiring. Notable recognitions include: Lifetime Achievement Award from AALS Section of Legal Writing (2018) Namesake recipient of the Darby Dickerson Award for Revolutionary Change in Legal Writing (2013) Dual 'Outstanding Young Lawyer' honors from Dallas/Texas Young Lawyers (1995) Elected membership in the American Law Institute Sustaining Life Fellow status with Texas Bar Foundation Dickerson holds national leadership positions including Immediate Past President of the Association of American Law Schools and board membership in Scribes—The American Society of Legal Writers. She participates in multiple American Inns of Court and contributes to community organizations including the Los Angeles Red Cross Regional Board.
Jade Brown is a Clinical Associate Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law, where she serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Consumer Economic Justice Clinic. She is actively involved in experiential legal education through the Civil Litigation and Justice Program, mentoring law students in advocacy for low-income and marginalized communities. Education: JD, Boston University School of Law BS, University of Florida Her research and teaching focus on civil litigation, consumer law, and housing law, with a strong emphasis on dismantling systemic barriers to economic justice. She trains students to use consumer protection laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to support clients facing unfair financial practices. Her work extends into policy advocacy and public engagement, particularly through initiatives like the Massachusetts Defense of Eviction Answer Project (MADE Project), which has significantly increased access to legal representation in eviction cases. Professor Brown’s expertise has been recognized at the highest levels, including being quoted in a White House fact sheet and acknowledged by the U.S. Attorney General for her clinic’s impact during the pandemic. She regularly contributes to public discourse through media appearances and academic engagements such as the AALS Annual Meeting and Boston University’s Research On Tap series. Notable Recognitions and Engagements: Credited by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for MADE Project’s national impact on eviction prevention Quoted in White House and Department of Justice announcements on access to justice Featured in media outlets including WGBH, BU Today, and WalletHub Speaker at AALS Annual Meeting and Boston University Research On Tap She previously served as a staff attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she represented clients in housing, foreclosure, and consumer fraud cases, and helped develop a Lawyer-for-the-Day Debt Clinic. Her legislative testimony on wage garnishment reflects her commitment to policy reform. She is dedicated to training the next generation of public interest lawyers through hands-on clinical education and systemic advocacy.
Elana Redfield serves as the Arnold D. Kassoy Scholar of Law and Federal Policy Director at the Williams Institute, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. In this capacity, she coordinates comprehensive legal research and policy analysis on federal and state regulations impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) communities, with particular focus on transgender and nonbinary populations. Her educational foundation includes a Juris Doctor from CUNY School of Law (2008) and a bachelor's degree from New York University (2003). Prior professional experience encompasses leadership roles at the New York City Department of Social Services, where she directed safety net service improvements for LGBTQI communities, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, providing direct legal representation for low-income transgender people of color. Redfield's research expertise centers on transgender rights, LGBTQ+ public policy, and discrimination law, with significant contributions in immigration law, social services systems, and the intersection of race and gender identity. Her work consistently addresses real-world policy impacts through community-centered methodologies, examining critical issues including gender-affirming care access, sports participation bans, economic security for LGBTQ+ youth, and immigration challenges. Analysis of her extensive publication record reveals dominant trends in evaluating anti-transgender legislation impacts, documenting transgender immigrant experiences, and addressing socioeconomic disparities through policy interventions. Her research combines rigorous legal analysis with community-based survey data to produce actionable recommendations for policymakers and service providers. Professional contributions extend beyond publications to direct policy engagement, including amicus briefs for landmark cases like United States v. Skrmetti and public comments submitted to federal agencies on regulatory matters affecting LGBTQI populations. Her work demonstrates consistent collaboration with community organizations to translate research into tangible policy changes.
Anne-Marie Hakstian serves as Professor in the Department of Management within the School of Management at Salem State University, where she teaches foundational business law courses including Business Law I (BUS 252), Employment Law for Business (MGT 301), and the graduate-level Legal and Ethical Environment of Business (BUS 802N). Her academic credentials include a PhD in Law, Policy and Society from Northeastern University (dissertation: Racial and ethnic profiling in Massachusetts: An examination of police policy and practice ), a JD from The George Washington University Law School (1990), a BA in International Affairs from The George Washington University (1987), and a Certificat d'Etudes Politiques from Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Paris (1986). Her research centers on race and gender discrimination in employment , racial profiling , marketplace discrimination , and sexual assault prevention , examining the intersection of legal frameworks, business practices, and social justice. Her work employs interdisciplinary methodologies combining legal analysis, social psychology, and consumer behavior research to investigate systemic discrimination in retail and employment contexts. Her publication record reveals consistent scholarly engagement with consumer rights and discrimination issues since 2003, with notable expansion into liberation psychology perspectives and global marketplace ethics. The 2016 book Consumer Equality: Race and the American Marketplace represents a comprehensive synthesis of her research trajectory, while her award-winning 2011 article demonstrates significant influence in marketing ethics scholarship. Her scientific recognition includes: Thomas C. Kinnear Best Paper Award (2015) for Beyond Poverty: Social Justice in a Global Marketplace Professor Hakstian actively mentors students through Business Honors Thesis (BUS 603H) and Directed Study (BUS 875) courses, focusing on real-world applications of business law. Her research has been supported through academic collaborations with institutions including Northeastern University and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, resulting in extensive conference presentations at venues such as the American Marketing Association and Law and Society Association. She maintains strong community engagement through media interviews on consumer discrimination incidents and presentations to organizations including the NAACP and National Black MBA Association, translating academic research into practical frameworks for addressing marketplace inequities.
Martin Auer is a University Professor specializing in Labor and Commercial Law at Paris Lodron University Salzburg. With an extensive academic career spanning nearly three decades, he has established himself as a prominent scholar in Austrian commercial jurisprudence. His research interests focus primarily on Commercial Law , Corporate Law , Labor Law , and Corporate Governance . Auer's scholarly work demonstrates particular expertise in personnel law, corporation law, shareholder rights, and sustainable business practices within legal frameworks. His research often addresses contemporary challenges in business organization and management structures. Auer maintains an exceptionally productive publication record with 148 publications since 1996, showing significant output in recent years (25 publications in 2020 alone). His recent scholarly contributions (2022-2024) demonstrate a clear focus on modern corporate governance challenges, sustainable business models, shareholder disputes, and the evolving legal framework for business organizations in Austria and Europe. Dr. Hans Katschthaler Scholarship for Diploma Thesis (1997) Science Prize of the Federal State of Salzburg for Dissertation (1999) Professor Auer is actively engaged in the legal academic community through editorial work, committee memberships, and scholarly presentations. He currently serves on the editorial board of commercial law journals and participates in significant academic events including symposia and specialized lectures on corporate law topics. His ongoing project "Editorial Board of Commercial Law Journals" (2024-2028) demonstrates his continued active role in shaping legal scholarship.
Brian Higginbotham serves as Professor and Associate Vice President for Extension at Utah State University within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Department of Family, Consumer, and Human Development. His office is located in AGRS 429 with contact number (435)-797-7276. Educational background includes: PhD in Human Development/Family Studies from Auburn University (2005), Dissertation: The Remarriage Belief Inventory: Testing the factorial structure and validity with a remarried sample MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Auburn University (2002), Thesis: The association between adult attachment styles, religiosity, and courtship violence experienced by females BS in Psychology from Brigham Young University (2000) Higginbotham's research centers on stepfamily dynamics and relationship education, with particular focus on remarriage adjustment, divorce intervention, and family strengthening programs. His work examines how relationship education impacts diverse populations including incarcerated fathers, Latino families, and youth. Through extensive mixed-methods research, he investigates predictors of marital stability, co-parenting dynamics post-divorce, and culturally responsive program design. His publications demonstrate strong emphasis on translating research into practical Extension programming that addresses real-world family challenges across the lifespan. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on dyadic relationship processes within remarriage and stepfamily contexts. His work prominently features longitudinal designs, actor-partner interdependence modeling, and mixed-methods approaches to evaluate relationship education effectiveness. Key trends include increasing attention to underserved populations (incarcerated individuals, ethnic minorities), technology-enhanced program delivery, and the intersection of economic stress with relationship outcomes. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks like the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation model with practical Extension applications. Scientific recognition includes: Strong Human Services Award (2023) Excellence in Extension Award, Western Region Winner (2013) Million Dollar Researcher designation (2012) Multiple Florence Hall Awards (2011-2012) University Faculty Researcher of the Year (2010) Early Achievement Award (2009) Higginbotham has directed numerous federally and state-funded Extension initiatives including Healthy Relationships Utah (2006-present), Divorce Education (2015-present), and the Utah Marriage Commission (2021-present). His mentoring impact is evidenced by the Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award (2006-2007). Current grant activities focus on adapting relationship education for diverse populations through online platforms and community partnerships, with particular emphasis on serving military families, incarcerated individuals, and economically disadvantaged groups. His work demonstrates exceptional integration of research, teaching, and Extension outreach. Leadership extends to directing statewide programs including the Utah Healthy Marriage Initiative (2009-2014) and Family Strengthening Relationships (2010-2016). His teams specialize in developing culturally responsive curricula like Smart Steps for Stepfamilies and evidence-based divorce education programming. Current projects focus on pandemic adaptation of relationship education services and expanding reach to American Indian and African American parents through tailored online interventions.
Catherine Fazio is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Associate Dean for MBA Programs at Boston University Questrom School of Business. She bridges law, business strategy, and innovation policy, with a focus on entrepreneurial ecosystems and antitrust law. Her career spans academia, legal practice, and board leadership roles. Education: J.D. from Stanford University (1993), M.B.A. from MIT’s Sloan Fellows Program, and B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. Fazio’s research explores the geographic dynamics of entrepreneurship, particularly post-pandemic shifts and the role of policy incentives like R&D tax credits. She co-authored foundational work on equity crowdfunding and merger remedies, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Her publications emphasize mapping entrepreneurial ecosystems and analyzing the intersection of legal frameworks with business innovation. Notable collaborations include the Startup Cartography Project and studies on state-level policy impacts. Fazio previously served as Managing Director of the MIT Lab for Innovation Science and Policy and was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, managing billion-dollar arbitrations and antitrust counsel for multinational mergers. She also held board roles at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture and Atrium School.
