UMLawyer

New law professor finds UM great place
to make the move into teaching career

As a high school student in Scarsdale, N.Y., Robert Pfeffer already knew he wanted to teach law someday. What he didn’t know then was that he would realize his dream at The University of Mississippi School of Law.

Pfeffer joined the law school faculty as a visiting professor in August, following two years as an attorney with Phelps Dunbar, LLP, in Jackson.

In the fall, Pfeffer taught courses in criminal law and procedure, and law and economics.

“Even though this is something I’ve always wanted to do, I still had a certain amount of healthy anxiety about teaching,” said Pfeffer. “Overall, everyone on the faculty here has made me feel welcome, offering me both support and guidance.”

The teaching novice credited veteran law professor Ron Rychlak with helping him recognize he has what it takes to teach. Rychlak said he instinctively knew Pfeffer would fit right in.

“Robert had a position with Phelps Dunbar but was hoping to move into teaching,” Rychlak said. “The law school was looking to fill a visiting professor slot. When I realized he was still on the market, and especially when we reviewed his outstanding record, I knew he was a perfect answer for our needs.”

Since he began teaching, Pfeffer said he is most impressed with his students’ enthusiasm and ability to learn.“I consider myself to be a fairly demanding instructor, and they seem to respond to that very well,” he said.

Acknowledging he has always liked to argue “a little bit,” Pfeffer also showed an affinity for the sciences in high school. He considered pursuing a career in medicine but found law more compelling. He wound up attending the University of Chicago, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate.

Pfeffer then returned to New York City, where he worked for two law firms before becoming a judicial law clerk in the 7th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago. He held the post for about four years but realized it was not what he wanted to spend his life doing.

“I knew that what I really still wanted was to teach law,” Pfeffer said. “I went on to earn my master’s degree in criminology from the University of Oxford in England. I was offered the opportunity to stay abroad and pursue my doctorate. Sensing my future in academia was more likely to be successful in the U.S., I returned home and resumed private practice at Phelps and Dunbar.”

Recognizing that scholarship is an important aspect of academic achievement, Pfeffer has already submitted an article on economic analysis of trademarks. It appears in the fall 2005 Wake Forest Intellectual Property Law Journal. He is writing and researching other articles for submission in late winter and early spring.

Pfeffer’s favorite pastime is running. “It’s something I’ve always liked to do,” he said. “The nice weather and beautiful local scenery make it quite enjoyable for me.”

Another pastime is singing and songwriting. He plays piano and guitar, and met professionals in the field while living and working in New York.

“Music as a profession briefly crossed my mind,” he said. “I actually performed some of my songs before audiences in New York and England. Having friends who have worked at all levels in the music business, I soon realized that it’s a very difficult way to make a living.”

Thematically, Pfeffer’s lyrics reflect topics from the silly to the serious.

“One of the songs I’m most proud of is one I wrote after I learned that one of my musical mentors, Dave van Ronk, had passed away. I guess I would say it was cathartic for me, as the song came about very easily.”

But teaching law at Ole Miss is what is giving Pfeffer the most satisfaction.

“This is what I was born to do. I’m just glad to be a part of the Ole Miss law school family.”

—Edwin Smith