ORANGE, Calif., Jan. 30, 2004 – Former judge, practicing attorney and author Kenneth W. Starr has joined the Chapman University School of Law faculty for the 2004 spring semester, according to Parham Williams, dean of the law school.

Starr, who has been named to fill the Doy Henley Distinguished Visiting Professorship, is teaching “Advanced Constitutional Law – Current Issues.” The upper-level seminar course explores cutting edge issues in the dynamic field of constitutional law.

Distinguished visiting professors receive that esteemed title based on “extraordinary achievements” in their field, according to Williams. The professorship is being funded by Chapman Trustee and benefactor Doy Henley.

“Ken Starr is one of the most significant influences in the legal profession today, and he’s among the nation’s most sought-after litigators. No matter one’s politics, Chapman law students are fortunate to have the opportunity to examine constitutional law issues under Judge Starr’s tutelage,” Williams said.

Kenny Saffles, the top-ranked student in the third-year law class, said that “to learn from someone like him (Starr) is invaluable, a real gold mine. From the first class session I found him to be very down to earth, not intimidating whatsoever, truly a great teacher.”

Following each class a small group of students, faculty, local legal professionals and law school donors join Starr for a luncheon at Donald P. Kennedy Hall, the Law School’s beautiful new building.

“The best law schools provide opportunities for their students to interact with individuals of Ken Starr’s caliber. I’m pleased that Chapman is right there with them,” Williams said. “Chapman is one of two universities at which Mr. Starr holds a teaching post. The other is NYU, so we’re in excellent company.”

Starr is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, one of the nation’s largest law firms, in its Washington, D.C. offices. He was solicitor general of the United States from 1989 to 1993, arguing cases involving governmental regulatory and constitutional issues before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A former U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge, Starr soared to national prominence when he was appointed independent counsel in the Whitewater investigation in 1994. Among his most important scholarly works is his book, First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life, which examines the influence of the Supreme Court on American culture.

Widely sought after as a speaker, Starr was the Chapman law school’s commencement speaker for the Class of 2003.

Founded in 1995, Chapman’s ABA-accredited law school is the only one in Orange County located on a university campus.
Students may earn a JD, JD/MBA or LL.M. in taxation. The school also offers certificate programs in tax law, advocacy and dispute resolution, and environmental/land use/real estate law.