Master of Jurisprudence –
Criminal Justice Concentration

The Criminal Justice Concentration is just one of your options. See the main Master of Jurisprudence page for details about the overall program and other available options.


M.Jur. Criminal Justice Concentration

There is increasing demand for criminal justice professionals who can shape policies that promote fairness, equality and justice within the criminal justice system. It’s important to note that criminal justice reform is an evolving and complex field, and new approaches and ideas continue to emerge. The cutting edge of reform is often driven by ongoing research, advocacy, community engagement and the collaboration of various stakeholders, including policymakers, legal experts, grassroots organizations and affected communities. You can be a part of this change. The St. Mary’s University School of Law M.Jur. Program provides advanced education and specialized knowledge in various aspects of the criminal justice system. Pursuing the M.Jur. graduate degree in criminal justice, law and policy can enhance your knowledge and skills by providing you with the tools to tackle complex issues and make a meaningful impact on public safety, law enforcement and policy development.

I graduated in 1996 as a Law Enforcement Graduate from the Del Rio Police Academy. Since then I’ve worked for 7 years with the Maverick County Sheriff Department Investigator and 18 years with the Eagle Pass Independent School District as a K-9 Officer, DARE Officer. I went back to school to earn my M.Jur.  from St. Mary’s School of Law once I started working with the District Attorney’s office as an investigator and have found that the courses help me immensely in my line of work. I have a busy schedule between trials and investigations but am able to keep up with my online coursework and make progress towards my degree.

– Michael Torralba (M.Jur. Candidate May 2024)


Trusted data proving professional advancement

Texas has a significant demand for a diverse population of criminal justice professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of professionals in the field of criminal justice is projected to grow nationally 5% from 2019 to 2029. Specifically, within the fields of detectives and forensic scientists the growth will be 3% and 11% respectively. This growth is driven by an increasing focus on public safety and the need for professionals who can address issues related to crime prevention, law enforcement, corrections and community support. In the San Antonio metroplex and the I-35 corridor, there are opportunities for individuals interested in criminal justice, law and policy.
Networking, gaining practical experience through internships or relevant work, and staying updated with industry trends and policies can further enhance career opportunities for M.Jur. graduates in the field of criminal justice, law and policy.

In our Criminal Justice concentration, we firmly believe that advocating for change in the criminal justice system is not just a choice, but a responsibility. As the legal architects of tomorrow, our students delve into the complexities of law and society, learning not only the intricacies of the criminal legal system but also cultivating the passion and insight necessary to champion reform. Just as education and business are the cornerstones of a thriving society, a just and equitable criminal justice system forms the bedrock upon which true democracy stands, urging our students to advocate for transformation, fostering a safer, fairer tomorrow for all.

– Sigrid Vendrell-Polanco, J.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Law


Required Courses

Core courses
Fundamentals of the American Legal System
Legal Research and Writing
Choose two from the following:
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Property Law
Torts

Concentration Emphasis Courses

Course NameCourse Numbers
Constitutional Criminal Procedure *LW 5710, 7375
Texas Criminal ProcedureLW 8350
Advanced Criminal ProcedureLW 7245
Civil RightsLW 6600
Comparative Criminal ProcedureLW 7317
EvidenceLW 6434
Digital Evidence and RecordsLW5612
Police LiabilityLW 5611
Wrongful ConvictionsLW XXXX
Immigration LawLW 8688
Mental Health and the LawLW 5610,6600
Cyber LawLW 5313, 6200
Criminal Justice & Due ProcessLW 5613
Death Penalty/Capital PunishmentLW 7229

Courses marked with an * are required electives. Two additional courses from the list must be chosen.

Request Information

Curious which Law Certificate is right for you? Questions about the admission process or the program? Our team will answer any questions and help you through the process when you’re ready.

Applying to the M.Jur.

See details about admission requirements and how to apply:


Master of Jurisprudence – Compliance, Business Law and Risk Concentration

The Compliance, Business Law and Risk Concentration is just one of your options. See the main Master of Jurisprudence page for details about the overall program and other available options.


M.Jur. Compliance, Business Law and Risk Concentration (available online)

The field of legal compliance and risk management is a growing and in-demand field with strong career prospects, both nationally and in Texas. Pursuing the Master of Jurisprudence program in this field can help professionals advance their careers and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape by preparing students for careers in regulatory compliance, risk assessment and corporate governance.

Thank you St. Mary’s for everything you have done for me! I hope to come back soon to pursue the JD program. I cannot express enough my gratitude and how blessed I am to be an alumni of this school!

– Catherine Cruz (M.Jur. ’22, B.A. ’21 )
Recipient of the St. Jude Public Service Award


Professional advancement

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of compliance officers, including those in the field of legal compliance and risk management, is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing complexity of regulations and laws governing industries, such as healthcare, finance and environmental protection. Additionally, the need for organizations to maintain ethical practices and prevent fraud and abuse is increasing the demand for compliance professionals. In Texas, the BLS reports that employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the national average. Texas has a diverse economy, with a large number of industries, including energy, healthcare, finance, and technology, all of which require compliance and risk management professionals.

In the realm of law, where compliance meets professionalism, legal research and writing become the keys to unlocking a world of clarity and precision.

-Mike Martinez Jr. (J.D. ’00), M.S.I.S.
Director of the Sarita Kenedy East Law Library and Professor of Law
St. Mary’s University School of Law


Required Courses

Core courses
Fundamentals of the American Legal System
Legal Research and Writing
Choose two from the following:
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Property Law
Torts

Concentration Emphasis Courses

Course NameCourse Numbers
ComplianceLW 5307, 8217
Administrative LawLW5302, 7374
Business StructuresLW 5305, 7310
Business Law and EthicsLW 5508
HIPAA Privacy LawLW 5607
AntitrustLW 8389
Creditor’s Rights & BankruptcyLW 5306, 8268
Criminal LawLW 5303,6341
Employment LawLW 5308,8268
Insurance LawLW 7397
Mortgages and Real EstateLW 8318
Commercial Law & ContractingLW 5405
Special Education LawLW 5608, 7234
Digital Evidence and RecordsLW 5612

Courses marked with an * are required electives. Two additional courses from the list must be chosen.

Request Information

Curious which Law Certificate is right for you? Questions about the admission process or the program? Our team will answer any questions and help you through the process when you’re ready.

Applying to the M.Jur.

See details about admission requirements and how to apply:


Master of Jurisprudence –
Commercial Law Concentration

The Commercial Law Concentration is just one of your options. See the main Master of Jurisprudence page for details about the overall program and other available options.


M.Jur. Commercial Law Concentration (available online)

The M.Jur. in Commercial Law is available both as an online distance learning program and in a traditional classroom environment.

Commercial law is a dramatically growing field and one of the fastest-changing areas of law.

The St. Mary’s 30-credit-hour M.Jur. concentration provides a comprehensive overview of commercial law, which is relevant to most commercial and government fields as a result of the regulatory changes prompted by the 2008 global financial crisis.

The potential job market for this concentration is high because commercial law covers a broad range of industries.

Commercial law and business law often overlap. Commercial law focuses on the sale and distribution of products, while business law governs other aspects of business management, such as starting, buying, managing, selling and closing a business.

You can use your degree in Commercial Law in a wide variety of business arenas. It really trains you to think analytically, with a problem solving approach.

– Ramona Lampley


Required Courses

Course NameCredit Hours
Fundamentals of the American Legal System (offered online)2
Legal Research and Writing (offered online)2
Contracts (offered online)4
Second First-year Course (or Property, offered online)4

Additional Concentration Electives

Course NameCredit Hours
Administrative Law or Administrative Law & Regulatory Interpretation * (offered online)3
Business Associations or Business Structures & Statutory Compliance * (offered online)3
Negotiations * (offered online)3
Antitrust3
Creditor’s Rights & Bankruptcy (offered online)3
Deceptive Trade Practices
Employment Law or Employment Discrimination Law (offered online)3
Insurance Law3
Mortgages and Real Estate3
Secured Transactions3
Sales2
Sales/Secured Transactions or Commercial Law & Contracting (offered online)4
Federal Income Tax

Courses marked with an * are required electives. Two additional courses from the list must be chosen.

Request Information

Curious which Law Certificate is right for you? Questions about the admission process or the program? Our team will answer any questions and help you through the process when you’re ready.

Applying to the M.Jur.

See details about admission requirements and how to apply:


Master of Jurisprudence –
Business Risk and Intelligence Concentration

Master of Jurisprudence

The Business Risk and Intelligence Concentration is just one of your options. See the main Master of Jurisprudence page for details about the overall program and other available options.


M.Jur. Business Risk and Intelligence Concentration (available online)

The M.Jur. in Business Risk and Intelligence is a hybrid concentration that partners the Compliance, Business Law and Risk certificate at the School of Law (CCB® accredited) with the Business Intelligence Certificate at the Greehey School of Business.

This concentration has been established to appeal to compliance professionals, governmental and private sector procurement and contracting professionals, accounting professionals, and analysts who want to use data to ask about the “why” not just the “how.”

This concentration has been curated for those already working at the intersection of compliance, business and data analytics looking to advance, pivot or reskill in emerging fields such as fintech, data analytics and procurement.

Consider this certificate if you are…

  • A decision-maker who uses data to aid in the decision-making process
  • A manager involved in producing reports and analyzing multiple data points to assess their relevance in business decision-making
  • A critical thinker who “connects the dots” to make better business decisions
  • An “outside the box” thinker who asks “what if?” questions using data
  • A proactive thinker who asks, “what else can we do with this data?”

Business Intelligence models have been used and proven effective in risk management and compliance for quite a while. This program provides students with curriculum and business intelligence tools in such a way as to give students insights that will help them identify risk and integrate compliance and assurance into a performance management system. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements, risk mediation and proactive corporate governance.

– Ajaya Swain


What is Business Intelligence?

Business intelligence leverages your legal acumen with actionable systems insights to improve your ability to anticipate, predict, adapt and remediate. If you are a decision-maker ready to create value from big data this concentration is the means to this end.


Required Courses

Course NameCredit Hours
Fundamentals of the American Legal System (offered online)2
Legal Research and Writing (offered online)2
Contracts (offered online)4

Additional Concentration Electives

Course NameCredit Hours
Administrative Law and Regulatory Interpretation * (offered online)3
Business Structures or Business Associations * (offered online)3
Compliance Ethics & Risk Management or Compliance Law* (offered online)3
Business Law and Ethics (offered online)1
HIPAA Privacy Law (offered online)2
Intro to Business Analytics (offered online)3
Visual Analytics & Management (offered online)3
Predictive Modeling (offered online)3
Using Data for Developing Business Intel (offered online)3

Courses marked with an * are required electives. Two additional courses from the list must be chosen.

Request Information

Curious which Law Certificate is right for you? Questions about the admission process or the program? Our team will answer any questions and help you through the process when you’re ready.

Applying to the M.Jur.

See details about admission requirements and how to apply:


Master of Jurisprudence –
Business and Entrepreneurship Law Concentration

The Business and Entrepreneurship Law Concentration is just one of your options. See the main Master of Jurisprudence page for details about the overall program and other available options.


M.Jur. Business and Entrepreneurship Law Concentration 

Are you considering a career transition or broadening your entrepreneurial horizon and wondering whether a legal master’s degree is the right path for you? Let’s break down the key factors of a Master of Jurisprudence with a concentration in Business and Entrrepreneurship at St. Mary’s Law to help you make an informed decision.

 Students of the law are renowned for their ability to deconstruct arguments and construct persuasive ones. Law school hones your critical thinking skills, making you adept at dissecting complex issues and presenting compelling cases. The M.Jur. at the School of Law is the perfect analytical compliment to your professional skill set. M.Jur. graduates are taught to excel in precise, detail-oriented communication and make successful entrepreneurs by combining their legal knowledge with their industry-specific toolbox.

If your goal is to practice law, a J.D. is a necessity. However, if you’re considering a broader career in business, an M.Jur. offers a diverse skill set and extensive career opportunities. Keep in mind that your success ultimately depends on how you leverage your education, contacts and knowledge. Choose the path that aligns with your long-term career goals and interests and be prepared to make the most of your chosen degree.

The matriculation ceremony was a bliss. The pledge was epic. It was an awakening gesture to start the journey of studying in law. I felt strongly committed and dedicated to the study by vowing the pledge and signing the paper. It was great to learn the history of St. Mary’s University and the vision of the School of Law. The dean and the faculty demonstrated their knowledge and the experience in practicing laws. They were also very accessible and willing to give advice in a professional field or in personal life. The facility does not just provide a good environment to study but also a venue to network with fellow colleagues. I felt comfortable to go to the law school buildings anytime for any reasons. thank you so much to hosting the ceremony and providing the outstanding experience.

-Joseph Liu (M.Jur. ’21)


Proven results and professional advancement

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs within the legal occupation sector (non-lawyer) are expected to increase 8% over the average for all occupations from 2022-23. To decide whether or not this is a career worth pursing, you’ll need to ask yourself: Is a career that continually adapts to changing business relationships of interest to you? Do you genuinely enjoy coming to terms with an understanding complex legal issues? Are you willing to analyze a constant stream of statistical information and data? Most importantly, if you can see yourself playing a key role within corporate meeting rooms and answered yes to any of these questions, you’re likely to enjoy working in the dynamic field of business law.

Our concentration in Business and Entrepreneurship Law both imparts the legal knowledge needed in the business world today and gives our students the tools they need to utilize that knowledge to succeed in business and in their community.

-Chad J. Pomeroy, J.D.
Professor of Law,
Co-Director of the Institute on World Legal Programs in Innsbruck, Austria
and James N. Castleberry, Jr. Chair of Oil and Gas Law


Required Courses

Core courses
Fundamentals of the American Legal System
Legal Research and Writing
Choose two from the following:
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Property Law
Torts

Concentration Emphasis Courses

Course NameCourse Numbers
Business StructuresLW 5305, 7310
NegotiationsLW 5310, 8761
Employment LawLW 5308, 8791
AccountingACCT or various
TaxVarious
SalesLW 7694
Secured TransactionsLW 7395
Sales/Secured TransactionsLW 7494 OR
Commercial Law and ContractingLW 5405
Business TortsLW 7312
Intellectual PropertyLW 6200
TrademarkLW 8685
CopyrightLW 8649
HIPAA Privacy LawLW 5607
Cyber LawLW 5313, 6200

Courses marked with an * are required electives. Two additional courses from the list must be chosen.

Request Information

Curious which Law Certificate is right for you? Questions about the admission process or the program? Our team will answer any questions and help you through the process when you’re ready.

Applying to the M.Jur.

See details about admission requirements and how to apply:


Jeffrey Addicott

Director, Warrior Defense Project | Professor of Law

Biography

Lt. Colonel (US Army, Ret.) Jeffrey Addicott is a full Professor of Law and the Director of the Warrior Defense Project at St. Mary’s University School of Law. An active duty Army officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for twenty years, Addicott spent a quarter of his career as the senior legal advisor to the US Army Special Forces.

He served in senior legal positions in Germany, Korea, Panama and throughout the United States and deployed on numerous occasions to areas of armed conflict, awarded a Legion of Merit for his work in Peru.

As an internationally recognized authority on national security and terrorism Law, Dr. Addicott not only lectures and participates in professional and academic organizations both in the United States and abroad (over 900 speeches), but he also testifies before Congress on a variety of legal and policy issues.

Dr. Addicott is a regular contributor to national and international media outlets to include FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, OAN, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal (over 5,000 interviews). Addicott is a prolific author, publishing over 100 books, articles, and monographs on a variety of legal and policy issues.

Among his many contributions to the field of law, Addicott pioneered the teaching of law of war and human rights course to the militaries of numerous nascent democracies in Eastern Europe and Latin America. Addicott was also the Associate Dean for Administration (2006-2007) and headed the Center for Terrorism Law.


Publications

Articles in a Periodical

Awards & Highlights

  • Recipient: “2017, The Silver Patrick Henry Medallion, awarded by the Military Order of the World Wars, for ‘patriotic achievement’ to America’s national defense.”
  • Recipient: “2012, The J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Award 2012, awarded by the Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations for ‘academic excellence.”
  • Recipient: “2011, The Vice Admiral George C. Dyer Award 2011, Military Order of the World Wars, awarded each year to the ‘most outstanding article published by the Officer Review magazine.”
  • Recipient: “2010, The J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Award 2010, awarded by the Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of investigations for ‘academic excellence.”
  • Recipient: “2007, The St. Mary’s Alumni Association’s St. Mary’s University School of Law Distinguished Faculty Award 2017, awarded each year to the distinguished law faculty member.”
  • Recipient: “1999, Distinguished Service Medal of the State of Alabama, awarded for ‘exceptionally meritorious and distinguished military or civilian service for or to the benefit of the United States or the State of Alabama.”
  • Co-recipient: “1995, The American Bar Association’s Hodson 1995, awarded each year to the ‘outstanding public sector law office in the nation.”
  • Recipient: “1993, The Outstanding Career Army Judge Advocate Award 1993, awarded annually to one Army lawyer, by the Judge Advocates Bar Association.
  • Recipient: “1983, Academy of Health Sciences Commander’s Award, awarded for ‘outstanding service to Fort Sam Houston.”

Books

  • Christian Doctrines (Imprimatur Press ed., Jan. 2, 2022).
  • Trump Judges:  Protecting America’s Establishment Pillars to “Make America Great Again,” (Dallas, TX: Imprimatur Press, 2020).
  • Categorical Bible Doctrines, (Dallas, TX: Imprimatur Press, 2019).
  • Radical Islam Why?: Confronting Jihad at Home & Abroad, (Tucson, AZ: Lawyers and Judges Pub. Co., 2016).
  • Terrorism Law: Materials, Cases, Comments, 7th ed. (Tucson, AZ: Lawyers and Judges Pub. Co., 2014).
  • Globalization, International Law, and Human Rights, Addicott, Bhuiyan, & Chowdhury(New Delhi, India: Oxford University Press, 2012).
  • Constitutional Rights for Guantanamo Detainees: An Immediate Look at the Legal and Governmental Ramifications of Boumediene v. Bush, Addicott; Rose III (New York, NY: Thompson/Aspatore Pub. Co., 2008).
  • Selected Essays on State Open Government Law and Practice in a Post-9/11 World, Addicott & Garcia, editors, (Tucson, AZ: Lawyers and Judges Pub. Co., 2008).
  • State Open Government Law and Practice in a Post-9/11 World, Addicott, Cochran, Dalglish & Winegar, editors, (Tucson, AZ: Lawyers and Judges Pub. Co., 2007).
  • Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law Handbook (Bogotá, Colombia: Imprenta y Publicaciones de las Fuerzas Militares, 1999).
  • Law of War: Handbook for Officers of Armed Forces of Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine: Lubava Pub. Co., 1996).
  • Code of Conduct for Participants in Military Operations, (Kiev, Ukraine, Ministry of Defense: Lubava, 1995).
  • Derechos Humanos: Decalogo de las Fuerzas del Orden, (Lima, Peru: Comando Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas, 1993).

Book Chapters

  • Foreword, in Honor Killing (Daniel Akbari & Paul Tetreault, 2015).
  • Is the Use of Coercive Interrogation or Torture Permissive and Effective as a Counter-terrorism Method?, in Contemporary Debates on Terrorism (Richard Jackson; Samuel Justin Sinclair, 2012).
  • Radical Islam’s Manipulation of the Media (with Nathanial Fulmer & Robert Gunn), in Terrorism Research & Analysis Project (TRAP): A Collection of Thoughts, Ideas,Perspectives, Vol. 1 (Andrew Bringuel, ed., 2011).
  • Cyberterrorism: Legal and Polices Issues, in Legal Issues in the Struggle Against Terror (John Norton Moore & Robert Turner, eds., 2010).
  • The War on Terror: War or Metaphor?, in Political Leadership (Joseph Masciulli, Mikhail A. Molchanov & W. Andy Knight, eds., 2009).
  • Institutionalizing Human Rights in the Militaries of the Emerging Democracies: The Case of Peru, in Fear of Persecution: Global Human Rights, International Law, and Human Well-Being, (James D. White & Anthony J. Marsella, eds., 2007).
  • Teaching Intelligent Design and the Anthropic Principle in the Public Schools, in 1-3
  • Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties (Paul Finkelman, ed., 2006).
  • The Role of Special Operations Forces in the War on Terror, in The Global War on Terrorism: Assessing the American Response, (John Davis, editor, 2006).
  • (Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Pub. Inc., 2004).
  • Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Review and New Paradigm, in Transnational Threats: Blending Law Enforcement and Military Strategies, (Carolyn W. Pumphrey, ed., 2000).
  • The Appeal of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, in Dr. Mudd and the Lincoln Assassination: The Case Reopened, John Paul Jones, ed., 1995).

Memberships

  • Sons of the American Revolution
  • Member of the Bar of Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court; Court of Military Appeals; American Bar Association
  • International Society for Military Law
  • The Law of War
  • Military Order of the World Wars (life member)
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
  • Special Forces Association
  • Sons of Confederate Veterans
  • Board Member of the Toda Institute for Peace
  • Contributing editor for JURIST
  • Law Faculty on Federalist Society
  • National Security Committee Consultant, American Legion
  • Retired Army Judge Advocates Association (life member)

Presentations

Foreign presentations include numerous professional lectures at universities and government institutions in Colombia, Peru, Ukraine, Germany, France, Austria, Canada, Thailand, Japan, India, Honduras, Haiti, Egypt, Kuwait, Panama, Guatemala, Albania, Okinawa, South Korea, England, Mexico, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, Greece, Israel, Russia, Luxembourg, China, Poland, and Uruguay.

Presentations in the United States include over 900 appearances at universities, public and private; State and Federal institutions and academies; as well as more than 5,000 appearances on radio, print, and television broadcasts to include: Associated PressNew York TimesLondon TimesWashington PostWall Street Journal, USA Today, Miami HeraldLos Angeles Times,Chicago TribuneWashington TimesWashington ExaminerAir Force Times, Army TimesMarine Corps TimesFederal Times, Miami Herald, FOX NEWS Channel, One America News, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, PBS, NBC, CBS, NPR, BBC, The Blaze, Voice of Russia, China Daily and Al-Jazeera.

Jeffrey Addicott has taught at the following institutions:

  • 1980-1981: Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland; Berlin, Germany. Business Law and Government.
  • 1982-1983: Adjunct Professor, Central Texas College; Korea. Business Law.
  • 1984-1985: Professor, Academy of Health Sciences; San Antonio, TX. Health Law.
  • 1988-1989: Adjunct Professor, Chapman College; Tacoma, WA. Graduate level International Law.
  • 1989-1992: Assistant Chair, International Law Department, The Judge Advocate General’s School; Charlottesville, VA. Graduate level International Law, National Security Law and Criminal Law.
  • 1995: Adjunct Professor, Central Michigan University: Washington, D.C. Graduate level International Law.
  • 1996: Adjunct Professor, Central Texas College; Central Michigan University; Webster University; Fayetteville, NC. Criminal Law, Graduate level Business Law, Graduate level Administrative Law.
  • 1997: Adjunct Professor, Campbell University; Fayetteville, NC. Business Law.
  • 1998-2001: Adjunct Professor, Central Michigan University. Savannah, GA; Fort Myers, FL; Fayetteville, NC; Arlington, LA. Graduate level International Law and Administrative Law.

Jeffrey Addicott

Director, Warrior Defense Project | Professor of Law

Contact Information

Education

  • S.J.D., University of Virginia School of Law Graduate Program, 1994
  • LL.M., University of Virginia School of Law Graduate Program, 1992
  • LL.M., The Judge Advocate General’s School, 1987
  • Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, 1985
  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1979
  • B.A., University of Maryland (with honors), 1976

License to Practice

  • Alabama

Specialties and Courses

  • Administrative Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Comparative Law
  • Constitutional Criminal Law
  • Federal Civil Procedure
  • Medical Malpractice
  • National Security Law
  • Terrorism Law
  • Military Legal Issues
  • Oral Depositions

Michael S. Ariens

Aloysius A. Leopold Professor of Law

Biography

After graduating law school, Ariens worked as a law clerk at the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. He then worked as an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Holland & Knight for three years. He was a civil litigator for firm clients in state and federal courts in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, in both trial and appellate courts.

In addition to teaching at St. Mary’s, he has served as a part-time visiting professor at Southern Methodist University, a visiting professor at Catholic University Columbus School of Law, and a visiting professor at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

He is the author of five books. His book Lone Star Law: A Legal History of Texas received two awards. He is also the author of fifty law review articles, essays, and other scholarly works, and a number of book reviews.


Publications

Books

  • The Lawyer’s Conscience: A History of American Lawyer Ethics (University Press of Kansas, 2022)
  • American Constitutional Law and History (2d ed., Carolina Academic Press, 2016)
  • American Constitutional Law and History (Carolina Academic Press, 2012)
  • Lone Star Law: A Legal History of Texas (Texas Tech University Press, 2011)
  • Law School: Getting In, Getting Out, and Getting On (Carolina Academic Press, 2010)
  • Religious Liberty in a Pluralistic Society (2d ed., 2002) (with Destro)
  • Religious Liberty in a Pluralistic Society (1996) (with Destro)

Articles in a Periodical

Book Chapters and Entries

  • Church and State in Ohio, 1785-1833, in DISESTABLISHMENT AND RELIGIOUS DISSENT: CHURCH-STATE RELATIONS IN THE NEW AMERICAN STATES, 1776-1833, at 249-271 (Carl H. Esbeck & Jonathan Den Hartog eds., 2019)
  • Religion and Roman Catholicism in American Legal History, in American Law from a Catholic Perspective: Through a Clearer Lens 1 (Ronald J. Rychlak ed., Rowman & Littlefield 2015)
  • Teaching Legal History Through Storytelling, in Teaching Legal History: Comparative Perspectives 32 (Robert M. Jarvis ed., Wildy, Simmonds & Hill 2014)
  • Simon Greenleaf, in Yale Biographical Dictionary of American Law 234 (Roger K. Newman ed., 2009)
  • Charles T. McCormick, in Yale Biographical Dictionary of American Law 370 (Roger K. Newman ed., 2009)
  • Edmund M. Morgan, Jr., in Yale Biographical Dictionary of American Law 389 (Roger K. Newman ed., 2009)
  • United States v. Cruikshank, in Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States (Gale Publishing 2008)
  • Religion in the 19th Century—Bible Wars, in Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties (2006)
  • Church and State in the United States, 1900-2001, in New Catholic Encyclopedia (2003)
  • Religion in the Courtroom, in Encyclopedia of Religious Freedom (2003)
  • Forms of Legal Practice, in The Oxford Companion to American Law (Oxford University Press 2002)
  • Sole Practitioners, in The Oxford Companion to American Law (Oxford University Press 2002)
  • Paralegal and Legal Secretary, in The Oxford Companion to American Law (Oxford University Press 2002)
  • Defining ‘Church’ in American Law, in Church Autonomy: A Comparative Survey (Gerhard Robbers ed., 2001)
  • On ‘Doctrine’ and the Establishment Clause, in Vouchers for School Choice: Challenge or Opportunity? An American Jewish Reappraisal (Marshall J. Breger & David M. Gordis eds., 1998)

Media Highlights


Michael S. Ariens

Aloysius A. Leopold Professor of Law

Education

  • LL.M., Harvard University, 1987
  • J.D., Marquette University, 1982
  • B.A., St. Norbert College, 1979

License to Practice

  • District of Columbia
  • Wisconsin

Specialties and Courses

  • American Legal History
  • Church and state
  • Constitutional Law
  • Evidence
  • Professional Responsibility

Jaime Aleman

Assistant Professor of Practice of Law

Biography

Prior to joining St. Mary’s Jaime Aleman worked as an associate attorney in an insurance defense firm, where he represented clients in personal injury claims. Professor Aleman later worked as staff attorney for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid where his work focused on probate and federal tax law, and he continues to provide assistance with federal tax cases on a pro bono basis through Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid. Professor Aleman is licensed to practice in Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, and the U.S. Tax Court.

Professor Aleman grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and moved to San Antonio to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio where he earned his B.A. in Economics. Thereafter, he obtained his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

In his free time, Professor Aleman serves as a volunteer on the Shavano Park Board of Adjustments, and he enjoys spending time with his family.


Jaime Aleman

Assistant Professor of Practice of Law

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2020
  • B.A., Economics, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2016
  • A.S., Houston Community College, 2011

License to Practice

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • U.S. Tax Court

Specialties and Courses

  • Legal Communication, Analysis, and Professionalism (LCAP)

Suzanne Oliva

Practicing Faculty

Biography

Suzanne Oliva, LL.M., J.D., CPA, Assistant Professor of Business Law, has taught undergraduate, graduate and law classes at St. Mary’s University since 2003. In addition, she was the Director of the Greehey Scholars Program from 2016 to 2022 and an advanced tax trainer and preparer for the St. Mary’s Law School Center for Legal and Social Justice Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program from 2005 to 2019.

Prior to earning her J.D., Oliva was an auditor with what is now the Big Four public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP. After graduation from law school, she joined the law firm of Oliva, Saks, Garcia & Curiel LLP, and primarily concentrated her legal practice in the areas of wills, probate, estate planning, family law, personal injury law and corporate law.

She is past president of the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association and Foundation. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is also admitted to practice law in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas and the United States Supreme Court. Oliva is an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and enjoys live theater, sporting events and world travel with her husband, Javier and four sons.


Publications

Articles in a Periodical

  • Oliva, S. (2015). In The Institute of Law and Policy (Ed.), To Buckle Up or Not Buckle Up, That is the Question (2nd ed., vol. 7, pp. 147-165). The Institute of Law and Policy: Journal of International Judicial Affairs.
  • Royalty, K., Oliva, S., Fix, B. (2012). Reverse Payments in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Finding the Right Prescription. Southern Law Journal, 22(1), 61-78.
  • Oliva, S. (in press). Attorney Advertising – A Comparison of the Attorney Advertising Laws in Florida, Texas and California. No. St. Petersburg, Fl: Society of Marketing Advances National Conference.
  • Oliva, S. (2010). Elder Law Handbook – Texas Department of Public Safety Laws. Elder Law Handbook (pp. 50). San Antonio, Texas: San Antonio Bar Foundation.
  • Oliva, S. (2008). Elder Law Handbook – Residential Services and Placement Laws in Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety. Elder Law Handbook (pp. 48). San Antonio, Texas: San Antonio Bar Foundation.

Suzanne Oliva

Practicing Faculty

Contact Information

Education

  • LL.M. University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2020
  • J.D. St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1996
  • B.B.A. St. Mary’s University, 1987

License to Practice

  • Texas

Specialties and Courses

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Principles of Accounting I
  • Principles of Accounting II
  • Legal Environment of Business
  • Business and Professional Ethics
  • Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Law and Ethics
  • Business and Professional Ethics for MBAs
  • Property I Law
  • Property II Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Federal Income Taxation Law
  • Accounting for Lawyers

Honors and Awards

  • Belva Lockwood Outstanding Attorney of the Year, BCWBF 2017.
  • NuStar Excellence in Teaching Award, GSB 2006
  • NuStar Excellence in Teaching Award, GSB 2007
  • NuStar Excellence in Teaching Award, GSB 2008
  • NuStar Excellence in Teaching Award, GSB 2011
  • NuStar Excellence in Teaching Award, GSB 2017
  • Excellence in Teaching Award, NSLS 2019
  • GSB Service Award, GSB 2023

Rishi Batra

Professor of Law | Englehardt Research Fellow

Biography

Professor Batra is a nationally recognized speaker and scholar in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He regularly offers training across the country on legal negotiation and mediation strategy, alternative dispute resolution pedagogy, and dispute resolution scholarship. Prior to St. Mary’s, he was Director of the Leadership and Appropriate Dispute Resolution (LADR) program for the US Air Force Academy, where he trained future Air Force officers in negotiation principles and strategy.

Professor Batra was previously a full professor with tenure at Texas Tech University School of Law, where he taught courses on Alternative Dispute Resolution, Property Law, and Intellectual Property. He was awarded the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching abilities. He has also been a Visiting Professor at the University of Oregon, UNLV Boyd School of Law, Santa Clara Law, teaching negotiation skills and applications.

Professor Batra’s scholarship focuses on Dispute Resolution, and in particular applying dispute resolution perspectives to diverse fields such as criminal procedure and election law. His work has appeared in the George Mason Law Review, the Ohio State Law Review, and the Harvard Negotiation Law Review, among others.

Professor Batra served as the co-chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Law Schools Committee, including co-chairing the national ABA Representation in Mediation Competition. He currently serves on ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Council, among other ADR service roles.

Before Texas Tech, Professor Batra was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Whittier Law School. He was previously the Langdon Fellow in Dispute Resolution at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. At Moritz, Professor Batra taught Mediation and Negotiation courses and supervised students mediating hundreds of cases including small claims, landlord-tenant, and criminal matters. He is the co-founder and was the first director of the Ohio State Student Mediation Program.


Honors and Awards

  • President’s Excellence in Teaching Award, 2014

Publications

Articles in a Periodical

  • “Resolving Civil Forfeiture Disputes”, 66 KAN. L. REV. 399 (2017).
  • “Using the Terms Integrative and Distributive Bargaining in the Classroom: Time for Change?”, 2017 J. DISP. RESOL. 29 (2017).
  • “Improving the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act”, 24 GEO. MASON L. REV. 743 (2017).
  • “Judicial Participation in Plea Bargaining: A Dispute Resolution Perspective”, 76 OHIO ST. L. J. 565 (2015).
  • “Standards of Legitimacy in Criminal Negotiations”, 20 HARVARD NEGOT. L. REV. 61 (2015).

Presentations

  • “Military Education in Conflict Analysis and Transformation: Identifying the Needs of Today’s Airmen”, Air Force Negotiation Center Roundtable, April 20, 2021
  • Dispute Resolution as Leadership, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Spring Conference, April 17, 2021
  • Considering Alternatives to Trial: Alternative Dispute Resolutions and Mediations, Practicing Law Institute, January 6, 2021
  • Negotiating Plea Bargains: Strategic and Social Concerns, UC Davis School of Law Lawyering Skills Education Workshop Series, March 13, 2020, Davis CA
  • Real Estate Owned with Others – the UPHPA, Estate Planning, Guardianship and Elder Law Conference, August 2, 2019, Galveston, TX

Rishi Batra

Professor of Law | Englehardt Research Fellow

Contact Information

Education

  • J.D., (cum laude), Harvard Law School, 2008
  • B.A., University of California with highest honors, 2000
  • B.S., University of California with honors, 2000

License to Practice

  • California

Specialties and Courses

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Property Law
  • Contracts Law
  • Intellectual Property
Give Now