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.
Past Transactional Studies Research Fellows
Brett Dakin, 2008-2010
Currently Assistant General Counsel of the Rainforest Alliance
Rachelle Holmes, 2006-2008
Research: International Tax Competition
Currently Assistant Professor of Law, George Mason University School of Law, 2006-2008
Charles Whitehead, 2004-2006
Research: What’s Your Sign? – International Norms, Signals, and Compliance, Michigan Journal of International Law, 2006 (PDF)
Currently Associate Professor of Law, Cornell Law School
Scott Semer, 2003-2004
Currently Partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Victor Fleischer, 2001-2003
Research: The Rational Exuberance of Structuring Venture Capital Start-Ups, Tax Law Review, 2004 (PDF)
Currently Associate Professor of Law, University of Colorado at Boulder
