School: School of Law

John W. Teeter Jr.

Professor of Law

Biography

Teeter practiced commercial litigation in Honolulu and labor and employment law in Boston. His teaching experience includes working for Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1988 and St. Mary’s University since 1991. Teeter has published numerous articles on labor law and a series of essays on how Buddhist insights can enhance the study, practice and teaching of law.

Teeter has taught many different subjects at St. Mary’s and has lectured at the summer programs in Austria and China. He takes pride in being accessible to his students and in making a meaningful difference in their lives through his classes. Teeter has received a number of awards for pedagogical excellence.

Honors and Awards

  • Most Influential Professor at St. Mary’s in Texas Lawyer’s Survey of Law Schools (August 18, 2008 edition)
  • Phi Delta Phi Most Outstanding 1L Professor, 2003
  • Student Bar Association Professor of the Year, 2001
  • Student Bar Association Professor of the Year, 2000
  • Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1999
  • Phi Delta Phi Outstanding Faculty Member, 1993
  • Phi Beta Kappa, 1982
  • Recipient, St. Mary’s University Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award

Publications

Articles in a Periodical

Shorter Works in Collections

  • Book Review, Sam Roberts, The Brother: The Untold Story of Atomic Spy David Greenglass (2001), 13 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 6 (Sept.-Oct. 2002).
  • Book Review, Lawrence Schiller, Into the Mirror: The Life of Master Spy Robert P. Hanssen (2002), 13 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 7 (Sept.-Oct. 2002).
  • Book Review, Tammy Bruce, The New Thought Police: Inside the Left’s Assault on Free Speech and Free Minds (2001), 13 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 15 (July-Aug. 2002).
  • Book Review, Thomas H. Koenig and Michael L. Rustad, In Defense of Tort Law (2001), 13 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 24 (March-April 2002).
  • Book Review, John Grisham, The Brethren (2000), 11 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 14 (May-June 2000).
  • Book Review, Alan M. Dershowitz, Just Revenge (1999), 11 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 9 (Jan.-Feb. 2000).
  • Book Review, Derrick Bell, Afrolantica Legacies (1998), 10 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 2 (Jan.-Feb. 1999).
  • Book Review, Dominick Dunne, Another City, Not My Own (1997), 9 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 13 ( March-April 1998).
  • Book Review, Vincent R. Johnson and Alan Gunn, Studies in American Tort Law (1994), 6 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 12 (July-Aug. 1995).
  • Book Review, Richard A. Epstein, Cases and Materials on Torts (6th ed. 1995), 6 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 13 (July-Aug. 1995).
  • Book Review,  Richard A. Epstein, Cases and Materials on Torts (5th ed.1990), 1 Bimonthly Review of Law Books 1 (Sept.-Oct. 1990).

John W. Teeter Jr.

Professor of Law

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1985
  • B.A., University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, 1982

License to Practice

  • Massachusetts
  • Hawaii

Specialties and Courses

  • Administrative Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Labor Law
  • Torts

Robin Thorner

Assistant Dean for Career Strategy

Biography

Thorner brings to the Office of Career Strategy 15 years of public interest experience, much of that in leadership positions. Prior to joining St. Mary’s Law, Thorner was a supervising attorney at Disability Rights Texas (formerly Advocacy Inc.), for which she represented individuals with mental health needs and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previously, she was first a staff attorney and, later, a managing attorney at University Legal Services, the protection and advocacy program for individuals with disabilities in Washington, D.C. While there, she supervised and coordinated the office’s mental health advocacy, which included individual and systemic litigation.

After graduating from New York University School of Law, Thorner clerked for the Hon. Deborah Hankinson on the Texas Supreme Court and was an Equal Justice Works Fellow at South Brooklyn Legal Services, where she represented children with special needs with an emphasis on special education, disability discrimination and SSI advocacy.

In addition to overseeing the Office of Career Strategy, Thorner serves as the law school’s Director of Professional Identity Formation.

Robin Thorner

Assistant Dean for Career Strategy

Portrait of Robin Thorner

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., New York University School of Law, 1999
  • B.A., magna cum laude, Yale University, 1995

License to Practice

  • Texas

Awards

  • President’s Award for Excellence, St. Mary’s University, 2022

Specialties and Courses

  • Professional Identity Formation
  • Mental Health and the Law
  • Client Interviewing
  • Special Education Law

Grace Walle

Law Chaplain

Biography

A Marianist Sister, Walle provides personal and spiritual counseling, and offers assistance to law students and their families whenever the need arises.

She offers a number of programs designed to assist men and women in their transition through law school. She also sponsors Law Partners, a support network for the spouses of law students.

Walle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1951. In 1972, she entered the Marianist Sisters in San Antonio.

While her background was in education, she became involved in directing retreats at the Marianist Sisters Retreat House, which was later bought by St. Mary’s University to house The St. Mary’s Center for Legal and Social Justice. She ministered for two years at St. John Neumann parish in San Antonio. She began working in University Ministry at St. Mary’s University in 1982. Her responsibilities included retreat ministry and leadership development.

As campus minister for the School of Law, Walle has developed a nationally recognized program. She has been described as having her own “world wide web” based on the years of working with law students and the legal community. One student described her as “searching through her Rolodex to provide just the right connection for a career connection or linking law students to community service projects.”

Honors and Awards

  • Marianist Heritage Award 2014
  • Alice Franzke Feminist Award 2013
  • Hispanic Law Alumni Award 2012
  • CCMA Dean Cantu/President Cotrell National Outstanding University Administrator Award
  • Yellow Rose of Texas Educating for a Lifetime Award 2010
  • San Antonio Bar Foundation Peacemaker’s Award 2011
  • CCMA National Educating for Justice Award 2006
  • San Antonio Young Lawyers Liberty Bell Award 2005-2006
  • Mexican American Bar Association Award 2003
  • St Mary’s Law School St. Thomas More Award 2002
  • St Mary’s University Santa Maria Justice Award presented by Center for Legal and Social Justice 2001
  • Catholic Campus Ministry Association National Campus Minister Award (CCMA) 2000
  • Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry offers

  • Catholic services each day, including Sundays, in a chapel on campus
  • Sacramental preparation
  • Opportunities to gather as a community for prayer, retreats and Mass
  • Programs to provide service to needy in San Antonio

Grace Walle

Law Chaplain

Contact Information

Education

  • D.M., McCormick Theological Seminary, 1997
  • M.P.M., Boston College, 1990
  • B.A., St. Mary’s University, 1977

Anthony Alcoser

Executive Director of Development

Biography

Anthony Alcoser (J.D. ’24) has been contributing to higher education in a development role for more than eight years. Prior to joining the St. Mary’s University School of Law, he served as a development officer at both The University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

From 2009 to 2015, he was instrumental in securing resources to attract the number of students necessary to allow the newly formed Texas A&M University-San Antonio to reach “stand-alone” status. In his most recent post, he played an integral role in supporting various functions of the UTSA College of Business to include the nationally ranked Cyber Defense program.

In addition to higher education development, Alcoser has been an active member of the greater San Antonio community serving as past treasurer to the City Council-appointed San Antonio Housing Trust, past treasurer for NowCast SA, and past president of the Harlandale ISD Board of Trustees.

He is an active member of the Rey Feo Consejo Education Foundation, member of the San Antonio ISD Gifted and Talented advisory committee and current vice president of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Central Texas Alumni Chapter.

Anthony Alcoser

Executive Director of Development

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., St. Mary’s University
  • M.S., Texas A&M University-San Antonio
  • B.A., The University of Texas at San Antonio

Gregory Zlotnick

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law | Englehardt Research Fellow

Biography

Greg Zlotnick serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the St. Mary’s University School of Law Center for Legal and Social Justice in San Antonio. There, he teaches in the Consumer Protection Clinic, overseeing student and staff efforts to represent San Antonians at risk of eviction.

Zlotnick has also taught courses on public interest lawyering, client interviewing and counseling, and legal research and writing. Zlotnick’s scholarship has focused on housing rights, homelessness, and access to justice issues. He has provided commentary to various media outlets and has testified before committees of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate.

Prior to his appointment as a visiting clinical faculty member, Zlotnick served as the director and supervisor of Pro Bono Programs at the St. Mary’s University School of Law’s Center for Legal and Social Justice from August 2014 to September 2022. In that role, he facilitated the implementation of the community service graduation requirement for J.D. students at St. Mary’s Law. In 2020, Zlotnick received the Pro Bono Coordinator Award from the State Bar of Texas. Beyond St. Mary’s Law, he is a board member of the Andy Mireles Charitable Foundation, the San Antonio Legal Services Association and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless.

Before moving to San Antonio, Zlotnick was a trial attorney and law clerk with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Fort Worth. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University.

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono Coordinator Award, State Bar of Texas, 2020

Publications

Articles in a Periodical

  • Soup Kitchens, Statelessness, and Sanctuary, Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, forthcoming 2026
  • A Seventh Amendment Remedy for Housing Instability, 77 Maine Law Review 209, 2025 (symposium)
  • Teaching Client Counseling in the Shadow of Homelessness, 69 St. Louis University Law Journal 619, 2025
  • Fix the real housing problems in Texas, not the imaginary ones, San Antonio Express-News, Dec. 15, 2024
  • Inviting the People into People’s Court: Embracing Non-Attorney Representation in Eviction Proceedings, 25 Marquette Benefits and Social Welfare Law Review 83, 2023
  • Facing Emergencies with Equity: Adopting ARPA’s Emergency Rental Assistance Eligibility and Documentation Standards for Undocumented Individuals as a Model for Housing Stability, 32 Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 31, 2023
  • Picking the Lock: A Proposal for a Standard Fee Waiver for Texas Identifying Documents, 22 The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice 345, 2020
  • Halt any proceedings in county that would lead to evictions, San Antonio Express-News, July 6, 2020
  • Juan Castillo worthy of clemency by Texas board, San Antonio Express-News, May 9, 2018
  • “One Day, All Americans . . .”: Considering a TFA-Style Lawyer Corps, 23 Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics 971, 2010

Media Highlights

Gregory Zlotnick

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law | Englehardt Research Fellow

Portrait of Greg Zlotnick

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center, 2011
  • B.A., magna cum laude, Georgetown University, 2008

License to Practice

  • Texas

Specialties and Courses

  • Consumer Protection Clinic

Four students working in a law classroom

Juris Doctorate Program

Discover the J.D. Program at St. Mary’s University School of Law

Become a leader for service, justice and peace

For more than 90 years, St. Mary’s University School of Law has educated values-driven leaders in law. Graduates have gone on to become members of Congress, governors, justices of the federal judiciary, leaders of some of the nation’s most successful law firms and more.

CONNECT WITH ADMISSIONS
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  • 3 to 4 Years
    for completion
    Flexibility
    Online and part-time option available
    90 Hours
    to graduate

    • Join Us for a Virtual or On-Campus Event

    Join our information sessions covering the admissions process specific to the J.D. program at St. Mary’s Law. Check back on this page for future dates and times as they become available.

    Event

    Date

    Location

    In-Person General Information Session
    This is an opportunity to engage in person with the admissions team at St. Mary’s Law. Attendees will be able to ask questions regarding our programs and the admissions process.

    Friday, Oct. 10
    4 p.m. CST


    Register here



    Virtual General Information Session
    This is an opportunity to engage via Zoom with the admissions team at St. Mary’s Law. Attendees will be able to ask questions regarding our programs and the admissions process.

    Thursday, Oct. 16
    4 p.m. CST


    Register here



    • Find St. Mary’s J.D. Admissions Near You

    DateTimeTime ZoneEventLocation
    Wednesday, Sept. 24, 20251 to 4 p.m.CTUT Dallas Criminal Justice Career & Internship FairDallas, TX
    Thursday, Sept. 25, 202511 a.m. to 1 p.m.CTSt. Edward’s Professional School FairAustin, TX
    Thursday, Sept. 25, 20255:30 p.m.CTNational Black Law Student Association Panel at UNTDenton, TX
    Friday, Sept. 26, 2025Noon to 3 p.m.CTUniversity of Texas at Arlington Pre-Law Center Pre-Law DayArlington, TX
    Friday, Sept. 26, 2025Noon to 6 p.m.ETLSAC Law Fair – AtlantaAtlanta, GA
    Wednesday, Oct. 1, 202510 a.m. to 2 p.m.MTUTEP Graduate and Professional School FairEl Paso, TX
    Saturday, Oct. 4, 202510 a.m. to 4 p.m.CTLSAC Law Fair – ChicagoChicago, IL
    Friday, Oct. 10, 20254 to 5 p.m.CTSt. Mary’s Law Open HouseSan Antonio, TX
    Tuesday, Oct. 14, 20254 to 7 p.m.CTLSAC Digital ForumOnline
    Tuesday, Oct. 21, 20253 to 4 p.m.CTUTSA Pre Law Panel with Ana AlvarezSan Antonio, TX
    Tuesday, Oct. 21, 20254 to 5 p.m.CTUTSA Legal Advocacy Association PresentationSan Antonio, TX
    Tuesday, Oct. 21, 202511:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.CTOLLU Grad and Professional School FairSan Antonio, TX
    Thursday, Oct. 23, 20252 to 5 p.m.CTUniversity of Arizona Law School FairPheonix, AZ
    Friday, Oct. 24, 2025Noon to 3 p.m.CTArizona State Law School FairTuscon, AZ
    Saturday, Oct. 25, 202510 a.m. to 4 p.m.PTLSAC Law Fair – LALos Angeles, CA
    Monday, Oct. 27, 20252 to 5 p.m.CTUTRGV (Edinburg) Graduate & Professional School FairEdinburg, TX
    Tuesday, Oct. 28, 202510 a.m. to 1 p.m.CTOklahoma University Law School FairOklahoma City, OK
    Wednesday, Oct. 29, 202510 a.m. to 2 p.m.CTUT Dallas Law School FairDallas, TX
    Thursday, Oct. 30, 202510 a.m. to 1 p.m.CTBaylor University Law School FairWaco, TX
    Friday, Oct. 31, 202510:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.CTTexas Tech Law School FairLubbock, TX
    Tuesday, Nov. 4, 202510 a.m. to 1 p.m.CTUTSA Law School FairSan Antonio, TX
    Wednesday, Nov. 5, 20254 to 7 p.m.CTTexas State University Law School FairSan Marcos, TX
    Thursday, Nov. 6, 202511 a.m. to 3 p.m.CTUT Austin Law School FairAustin, TX
    Thursday, Nov. 6, 20254 to 7 p.m.CTLSAC Digital ForumOnline
    Friday, Nov. 7, 202511 a.m. to 3 p.m.CTTexas A&M Law School FairCollege Station, TX

    What You’ll Learn in the J.D. Program

    At St. Mary’s School of Law, students gain a strong foundation in core areas of U.S. law, including constitutional, criminal, civil and contract law. The curriculum emphasizes legal research, writing, and advocacy skills essential for effective legal practice.

    Students also have opportunities for hands-on learning through clinics, externships and moot court. Additionally, the program focuses on ethical leadership and service, preparing graduates to serve both their clients and their communities with integrity.

    explore all law courses

    J.D. Program Admission Requirements

    Applicants may apply to either the full-time in-person program or a part-time online program, but not to both. Admissions and graduation standards are the same for both J.D. programs.

    All programs and offices are available to full-time in-person students as well as part-time online students.

    To learn more about how to apply and the School of Law’s admission requirements, visit the J.D. application page

    Admission requirements

    Academic Standing Requirements

    A candidate for the J.D. program must earn a minimum of 90 credit hours in order to graduate, or 91 credits hours for students who entered prior to Fall 2018. Students who entered law school in the Fall of 2019 or later must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher to graduate. For students who entered prior to that time, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to remain in good academic standing. Other curricular and academic requirements will apply. Those requirements are set forth in the St. Mary’s School of Law Student Handbook. Faculty may add additional requirements at any time.

    St. Mary’s Law student handbook
    Female student wearing a suit leans against the bookcase in the law library.

    Tuition and Aid

    At St. Mary’s School of Law, an affordable and valuable education matters. We believe in keeping our costs and tuition transparent to all students and offer competitive pricing.

    financial Aid

    Earn Your J.D. Online

    For students with considerably more outside responsibilities,  the St. Mary’s University School of Law is proud to offer the first fully online J.D. program accredited by the American Bar Association in the nation. As an online student at St. Mary’s Law, you will have access to the same opportunities and resources as a full-time student, including career counseling and advice through the Office of Career Strategy, academic advising from the Office of Law Success, and student services from the Office of Law Student Affairs.

    explore the online J.D.
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    Pursue a Joint J.D. Program

    Students can earn credit toward the selected master’s degree by satisfying the requirements for a Doctor of Jurisprudence. These programs allow students at St. Mary’s to complement their training in the law with advanced study in another discipline.

    J.D. + M.B.A.

    The joint J.D. and MBA program is designed for law students who want to broaden their knowledge and skills to include an in-depth understanding of business. This includes students who want to serve as counsel to corporations or specialize in business and commercial law.

    explore the J.D. + MBA

    J.D. + M.A. in International Relations

    This program is designed for Law students seeking to practice in firms or organizations with clients involved in international law, immigration and refugee affairs, international business and trade, international non-governmental organizations and governments.

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    International relations

    J.D. + M.P.A.

    This program develops lawyers with special skills in the public and nonprofit sectors. For those interested in a career in government or practicing law related to the public and nonprofit sectors, and advanced degree in Public Administration would be a valuable asset.

    explore J.D. + M.P.A.

    J.D. + M.A. Theology

    This joint degree program is especially suited for students who wish to pursue a legal career as a form of ministry. Many students with this degree have found success working in parish and diocesan administrative positions and working for other mission-based nonprofit organizations.

    explore the J.D. + Theology

    J.D. + M.A. in English Literature and Language

    The joint degree program is designed to immerse students in ethical, inclusive and responsible representation in literature and language. Students develop narrative skills in print and digital platforms and are invited to hone these through the programs.

    explore the J.D. + english literature and language

    J.D. + M.P.H. with UTHealth Houston

    This program with the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers a J.D./Master of Public Health (M.P.H.). The joint degree program prepares students for careers at the intersection of law, public health and policy, allowing them to bring a legal perspective to complex health challenges.

    Explore the J.D. +
    MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

    Discover J.D. Special Programs

    Build Real-World Skills

    The School of Law is committed to equipping students with the practical skills needed to excel in their professional lives. Through the law school’s special programs, students have participated in legal advocacy of disadvantaged citizens in the San Antonio community, national moot court and mock trial competitions, mentorship programs, and more.

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    Plan Your Best Career with Our Support

    Connect with the Office of Career Strategy

    The Office of Career Strategy (OCS) provides you with personalized advising to assist in all phases of your career planning and job search strategy. OCS helps students to develop the skills needed to secure meaningful employment consistent with their individual strengths, values and passions. The team builds relationships with alumni and employers to optimize opportunities for students and graduates.

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    Meet the J.D. Admissions Team

    The St. Mary’s Law J.D. Admissions Team understands you’ll have many questions about the J.D. admissions process and campus life. You can request a response from our team, or contact us directly at lawadmissions@stmarytx.edu.

    Catherine Casiano

    Assistant Dean for Admissions
    ccasiano@stmarytx.edu

    Eddie Chavez

    Director of Admissions and Recruitment
    echavez10@stmarytx.edu

    Catherine Mery

    Director of Student Enrollment
    cmery@stmarytx.edu

    Nia Walker

    Administrative Assistant for Office of Admissions
    Nwalker7@stmarytx.edu

    Learn more about earning your law degree at St. Mary’s School of Law!

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