Endowed Positions Strengthen Richmond Law Faculty

Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, 18 of our current faculty hold endowed chairs, professorships, and fellowships. These positions recognize outstanding scholarship, teaching, and service while also providing vital support for research and innovation.

ENDOWED CHAIRS:

• GEORGE E. ALLEN CHAIR IN LAW
Currently held by Professors Jessica Erickson and Corinna Lain, the George E. Allen Chair in Law honors the legacy of excellence of Mr. Allen, founding partner of the Richmond-based law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen.

• E. CLAIBORNE ROBINS DISTINGUISHED CHAIR IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Kurt Lash, the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Chair in Law was established to honor the memory of Mr. Robins, a 1931 graduate of the University of Richmond.

• WILLIAMS CHAIR IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Carl Tobias, the Williams Chair in Law was established in 1999 by Russell C. Williams, a 1984 graduate of the law school, to enable the school to build “an exceptionally strong faculty.”

PROFESSORSHIPS:

• DENNIS I. BELCHER PROFESSORSHIP IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Allison Tait, the Dennis I. Belcher Professorship was established to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Belcher, a 1976 graduate of Richmond Law and expert in trusts & estates at McGuire Woods.

• TYLER HAYNES PROFESSORSHIP IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Luke Norris, the Tyler Haynes Professorship was created to support outstanding scholarship in law.

• NANCY LITCHFIELD HICKS PROFESSORSHIP IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Rebecca Crootof, the Nancy Litchfield Hicks Professorship was established by Mr. Hal Hicks to honor the life and legacy of his wife, a 1985 graduate of Richmond Law. It is the first at the law school to bear a woman’s name.

• S.D. ROBERTS AND SANDRA MOORE PROFESSORSHIP IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Erin Collins, the S. D. Roberts and Sandra Moore Professorship was established in 2017 by S. D. Roberts Moore, L’61, and his wife, Sandra.

• SESQUICENTENNIAL PROFESSORSHIP IN LAW
Currently held by Professor Jim Gibson, the Sesquicentennial Professorship in Law was established in 2019 in honor of the University of Richmond School of Law’s 150th anniversary.

FELLOWSHIPS:

• OLIVER HILL FACULTY RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Currently held by Professors Henry L. Chambers and Jonathan Stubbs, the Oliver Hill Faculty Research Scholar position was established to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Hill, one of the nation’s most distinguished civil rights attorneys.

• ROBERT MERHIGE FACULTY RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Currently held by Professor Joel Eisen, the Robert Merhige Faculty Research Scholar was established to recognize the Honorable Robert R. Merhige, L’42, best known for his 1972 desegregation decision to merge Richmond City schools with neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

• JULIE & JOHN NOWAK FACULTY RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Currently held by Professor Kristen Osenga, the Julie & John Nowak Faculty Research Scholar was established in 2019 by John Nowak, a 2000 graduate of the law school, and his wife, Julie.

• AUSTIN OWEN FACULTY RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Currently held by Professors Hayes Holderness, Jack Preis, and Kevin Woodson, the Austin Owen Faculty Research Scholar recognizes the Honorable Austin Owen III, L’50, who served as a judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

• WALTER W. & MARIA THERESA REGIRER RESEARCH SCHOLAR IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
Currently held by Professor Chiara Giorgetti, the Walter W. & Maria Theresa Regirer Research Scholar in International Law was established to recognize outstanding scholarship in international law.

• JENNIFER & SAMUEL TARRY RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Currently held by Professor Andy Spalding, this position was established by Jennifer, GB’16, and Samuel, L’94, Tarry to support outstanding law faculty.


These appointments exemplify Richmond Law’s commitment to attracting and retaining top scholars, advancing legal education, and honoring exceptional generosity.