Res Ipsa Blog

Ever since Dean Walter Huffman of the Texas Tech School of Law announced that he will be resigning after the 2008-09 school year, one name has consistently been brought up by law school insiders and distinguished alumni alike as the ideal internal candidate to fill the shoes of Dean Huffman: Brian D. Shannon.

Before arriving at Texas Tech School of Law, Brian Shannon graduated first in his class from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982. He went on to work at the Pentagon for the Office of the General Counsel to the Secretary of the Air Force before joining Hughes & Luce in 1986. Two years later, Professor Shannon joined the faculty of the Texas Tech School of Law. Since that time, Professor Shannon served as Associate Dean of Programs, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs during separate terms. Professor Shannon currently holds the Charles “Tex” Thornton Professor of Law endowed chair.

A prolific author, Professor Shannon has written extensively on issues relating to mental illnesses and alternative dispute resolution. Texas Criminal Procedure and the Offender with Mental Illness, which he co-authored with Professor Daniel Benson, has become the primary reference book for issues relating to mental health in Texas. In 2007, Professor Shannon’s article on reforming the insanity defense in Texas received the Texas Bar Foundation’s Outstanding Law Review Article Award. Professor Shannon also received the award in 2002 for his article entitled, Confidentiality of Texas Mediations: Ruminations on Some Thorny Problems. Professor Shannon allowed both his article to be published through Texas Tech Law Review, bringing further recognition to the school and to Texas Tech Law Review.

In 2000, Brian Shannon filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit and later in the Supreme Court in the case of PGA Tour, Inc. v. Casey Martin. Working pro bono, Professor Shannon advocated on behalf of Casey Martin, a golfer who was diagnosed with a medical condition known as Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, which limited Martin’s ability to walk the golf course during competitions as required by PGA Tour guidelines. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Casey Martin, allowing him to use a motorized cart in PGA golf tournaments.

Professor Shannon is an elected member of the American Law Institute, and was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve on the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. He served as a chair of the State Bar of Texas’ committee on Disability Issues and is slated to be the next NCAA representative for Texas Tech.

Professor Shannon has strong ties to the Lubbock area, as a long-time resident and as President-elect of the Lubbock Bar Association. Having served in various leadership positions at Texas Tech, Professor Shannon offers the experience and insight needed to build on the success the law school has seen under the leadership of Dean Huffman. Professor Shannon’s academic credentials and unassuming manner make him universally liked and respected among law students, faculty, and members of the legal community at large, and if selected he will no doubt live up to the expectations of everyone who believes he is the ideal successor to Dean Huffman.

Written by Benson Varghese. ♦ Contact Benson.♦ Have Res Ipsa Blog delivered to you.