LSU Law Dean Alena Allen and the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center Faculty Committee have recommended that Professors Lisa Avalos and Nick Bryner receive tenure and promotion to Professor of Law, and that Professor Summer Chandler be promoted to Associate Professor of Law. LSU administrators are expected to give final review and approval of the moves next spring.
“Tenure is a huge career milestone. Professors Avalos and Bryner are highly empathetic and effective teachers who have already positively shaped and influenced their respective fields of study, and they will continue to do so,” said Dean Allen. “Professor Chandler is an outstanding colleague and professor, and I’m excited to watch her continued growth as a scholar.”
Avalos teaches in the areas of criminal law, procedure, and legal ethics, and she is a passionate advocate for survivors of sexual assault and trafficking. In recognition of her extensive scholarly work and independent dedication to helping end gender-based violence, Avalos was honored with the 2023 Visionary Award from the End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) nonprofit organization.
“Being a part of LSU Law is a huge privilege and, quite simply, the best job I have ever had,” said Avalos, who joined the LSU Law faculty in 2018 and holds the Hermann Moyse Sr. Professorship. “I am deeply grateful for my colleagues’ vote of confidence in me, and I look forward to continuing to be of service.”
Prior to joining the LSU Law faculty, Avalos taught at the University of Arkansas School of Law and was a visiting assistant professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where she launched her academic career in 2011. She earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law, holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in sociology from Northwestern University, and a B.A. in psychology from Northwestern University.
Bryner joined the LSU Law faculty in 2018, he holds the John P. Laborde Endowed Professorship in Energy Law 1 and 2, and he also serves as director of the Climate Change Law and Policy Project. He is frequently invited to present and participate at legal conferences across the country and around the world, and in recent years he has represented LSU Law at events in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Mexico, Norway, and Sweden, as well as numerous major U.S. cities.
“I am deeply thankful to all my incredible colleagues at LSU Law for their confidence in me and for their steadfast support throughout my academic journey,” said Byner. “I am excited about reaching this milestone and I am thrilled about all the opportunities ahead. I also want to thank my students for inspiring me each semester in my teaching and research. LSU Law is an excellent place to be—I am eager to contribute to our vibrant community as we seek to improve justice and integrity in our society and prepare the next generation of advocates for positive change.”
Bryner previously served as a fellow in environmental law and policy at the UCLA School of Law from 2016 to 2018, and prior to that was a visiting professor and environmental law fellow at George Washington University Law School for two years. He holds a joint J.D./M.A. in law and hemispheric studies from The George Washington University Law School and Elliott School of International Affairs.
Prior to joining the LSU Law faculty in 2021, Chandler served as a visiting assistant professor at Southern University Law Center. She also previously served as an assistant professor at Concordia University School of Law and a visiting assistant professor at the Georgia State University College of Law. She currently holds the Professional Ethics Professor of Law, teaching in the areas of bankruptcy and legal ethics. Prior to her career in academia, Chandler practiced for 15 years at large national and international law firms, focusing on business bankruptcy, commercial real estate related litigation and transactions, and other business transactions and disputes.
“I am truly honored,” said Chandler, who holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. “LSU Law stands as an example of excellence in legal education, nurturing a vibrant academic environment that encourages scholarly inquiry, critical thinking, and the cultivation of practical skills. I am privileged to be a part of this community.”
Original source can be found here.