Academic

Leaving Las Vegas

By Tim Zinnecker

This story from the Las Vegas Sun discusses lateral moves by three UNLV law professors, with one or more of the departures prompted (at least in part) by recent state budget cuts to higher education.  The article also hints that others may be looking elsewhere.

UNLV has moved up through the law school rankings during its young history at an impressive  pace, to a great extent propelled by the rich talents of its stellar inaugural faculty and subsequent lateral and entry-level hires.  (I?ve always thought that UNLV has fielded one of the strongest cadres of commercial law talent in the nation, with Bruce Markell, Bob Lawless, Nancy Rapoport, and Keith Rowley.)   But it?s a given, in academic life, that colleagues come and go for a variety of reasons (money being only one of them).  Perhaps budget cuts during these difficult economic times will prompt an unusual number of departures at some schools.  But for everyone who leaves, hiring chairs will tell you there is no shortage of well-credentialed talent clamoring for a shot to fill the now-vacant slot.  UNLV has lost talent before (e.g., Lawless to Illinois, Carl Tobias to Richmond, etc.) but has always reloaded (e.g., Rapoport from UH).  My guess is that UNLV will be just fine ? and continue to enjoy success.

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on April 21, 2009 (boomark / email).