Afton Cavanaugh

Afton Cavanaugh

Affiliate Professor

Biography

Afton Cavanaugh (J.D. ’13) joined the University of Baltimore School of Law faculty in 2024, following over seven years as a Service Professor of Law and Assistant Dean at the St. Mary’s University School of Law. At St. Mary’s, Cavanaugh taught a wide range of courses, including Legal Communications, Analysis, and Professionalism; Experiential Legal Analysis; Estate Planning; and Bar Prep for Credit. He also developed and implemented innovative curricula for online and in-person J.D. programs.

Prior to his academic career, Cavanaugh practiced law as co-founder and managing member of Cavanaugh Quintanilla, PLLC in Austin, Texas, where he specialized in real estate, business law and wills and estates. He also worked as an associate attorney at The Law Office of John W. Pleuthner, gaining experience in various aspects of legal practice.

He is a member of the Texas Bar and is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Association of Academic Support Educators (AASE). He is also a member of the Association of Legal Writing Directors and the Legal Writing Institute, where he serves as webmaster and oversees the LWI website. Cavanaugh has presented at numerous conferences on topics such as legal education innovation, diversity in law schools, and the use of technology in legal writing instruction. His research focuses on inheritance rights, tax law and legal education reform. His work has been published in journals such as the UMKC Law Review, Hofstra Law Review and The Scholar.

Publications

Periodicals

Presentations

  • Afton Cavanaugh and Sigrid Vendrell Polanco (2022, May). Building Communities for the Bar Exam. AASE Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas. Conference Host.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2021, Oct.). The Bootcamp Model: A Path to Giving First Generation Students a Head Start. AASE Bi-Annual Diversity Conference, City University of New York School of Law. Virtual Conference.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2021, May). Imposter Syndrome in the Classroom: Starting the Mental Health Conversation from Day One. AASE Annual Conference, American University Washington College of Law.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2020, July). Panel Moderator, Difficult Conversations on Racial Equity When Educating Law Students. AALS Section on Academic Support. Virtual Webinar Series.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2020, July). Panel Moderator, Difficult Conversations on Racial Equity When Educating Law Students. AALS Section on Academic Support. Virtual Webinar Series.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2020, June). Meetings in the Age of Social Distancing: Using Virtual Small Group Meetings to Advance Classroom Objectives and Help Students Feel Less Isolated. Excellence in Teaching Legal Research & Writing Online Conference, William and Mary University. Virtual Conference.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2019, Oct.). Developing Conscious Lawyers: Using the 1L Skills Curriculum to Increase Awareness Student Sensitivity to Poverty and Homelessness. AASE Bi-Annual Diversity Conference, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2009, Nov.). Growing Up Homeless & Hungry in Austin. St. Edwards University. Meeting, Austin, Texas.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2013, Mar.). Bluebook Basics. St. Mary’s University. Guest Lecturer, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2016, Apr.). Working with Trans Clients: Insight for Future Counselors. Texas State University. Guest Speaker, Round Rock, Texas.
  • Cavanaugh, Afton (2016, May.). Make Your Contracts Work For You. Real Estate Staging Association. Guest Speaker, Austin, Texas.

Afton Cavanaugh

Affiliate Professor

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., magna cum laude, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2013
  • B.A., St. Edward’s University, 2010
  • A.A.S., Austin Community College, 2008

License to Practice

  • Texas

Specialties and Courses

  • Estate Planning and Probate
  • Contracts law
  • Business law
  • Legal education
  • Bar exam preparation
  • Legal research and writing

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