Many law schools expect candidates to have produced a substantial research project before they join the faculty. This hurdle is substantial for a lawyer with transactional experience, since transactional practices often do not leave free time for scholarly research and writing.
To create a supply of experienced lawyers who will teach transactional subjects at the highest level, Columbia Law School has created a two-year Research Fellowship in Transactional Studies. Each Fellow researches and writes papers for academic journals in order to be a viable candidate for a faculty position. In addition, Fellows assist in teaching classes, create new course and teaching materials, and organize conferences, also allowing them to explore new ways of teaching transactions to law students.
Current Transactional Studies Research Fellows
Brett Dakin, 2008-2010
Past Transactional Studies Research Fellows
Rachelle Holmes, George Mason University School of Law, 2006-2008
Research: International Tax Competition
Charles Whitehead, Cornell Law School, 2004-2006
Research: What’s Your Sign? – International Norms, Signals, and Compliance, Michigan Journal of International Law, 2006 (PDF)
Scott Semer, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, 2003-2004
Victor Fleischer, Colorado Law School, 2001-2003
Research: The Rational Exuberance of Structuring Venture Capital Start-Ups, Tax Law Review, 2004 (PDF)
