Get to know our new faculty: Professor Tamika Moses

What brought you to Richmond Law?

When I was searching for my next academic home, I wanted to join a community that was welcoming and one that embraced the teacher-scholar model. Richmond Law met both of those requirements. Richmond Law has some of the most prestigious scholars and teachers in academia on its campus, and it fosters a family-like atmosphere where everyone is welcomed. Moreover, Richmond Law has an incredible criminal law faculty.

I was also drawn to Richmond Law due to my prior experiences on the UR campus. My brother attended UR as an undergraduate and played on the football team. During that time, my family and I would attend every home game in the old stadium and then return to campus to enjoy the beautiful grounds and welcoming atmosphere. In short, Richmond Law feels like home. Whenever I am on campus, I reflect on the good times I had here as a football spectator, and I think about the memories I will create here as a law professor.

Describe your career path to this point. What drew you specifically to go into teaching and legal scholarship?

After law school, I clerked on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland before working as a federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of North Carolina. I began to consider a career change during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, teaching was often at the top of my list of potential careers as I reflected on the law professors and mentors that guided me along my career path.

In 2020, I taught my first course as an adjunct professor and fell in love with the classroom. I became a full-time professor the following year and have enjoyed the challenge of teaching a new group of law students each semester. My introduction to legal scholarship has been slightly different. As a federal prosecutor, I often reserved my words for the courtroom and referred all other comments to the communications division. As a law professor, I have the ability to discuss some of the most pressing issues that impact criminal prosecutions today through my scholarship. It has been a transformative experience.

How do you approach teaching law students — what is your philosophy in the classroom?

I believe that every student can be successful in the classroom when they are given the appropriate tools. This is especially true now that we know that everyone learns differently. Therefore, my approach is to present the material in a variety of ways so that each learning style and need is addressed in some capacity during the semester. I provide multiple opportunities for students to apply the material by utilizing regular polling questions, courtroom simulations, trial clips, and games like Hearsay Madness, among other exercises. I like to keep things interesting!

What advice would you give to current Richmond Law students for the coming year?

This is an interesting time to be studying law. Lawyers uphold key pillars of democracy, and they are often given the power to impact various liberty interests. I encourage students to engage in critical thinking daily, study the ethical obligations of lawyers, and get involved in the causes you care about. I also encourage students to practice self-care. Take breaks, eat well, move your body, and laugh as often as possible.

What’s something surprising about you that your colleagues or students might not know?

I like to lift heavy weights. I am by no means a powerlifter (I can only squat 150 lbs and deadlift 180 lbs), but I love pushing myself to add weight to the bar. My goal is to double my current numbers before the end of 2026.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am excited to join this fantastic community of teacher-scholars, staff, and students!