Message from Dean Revesz
M
any of you will remember struggling in your first
the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, a mul-
year over Pennoyer v. Neff and Erie v. Tompkins. So
tilateral organization charged with the formidable task of fore-
you also know that civil procedure is the point where
stalling nuclear weapons proliferation, consented to a rare inter-
theory meets practice, where conceptual brilliance
view in the midst of a particularly difficult period—as tensions
and sensible street smarts are equally necessary.
over Iran’s nuclear activities continued to mount. “What Price,
In “The Rules of the Game,” on page 24, we trace
Peace?,” on page 12, provides a chance to get to know ElBaradei,
the formation of a truly outstanding team of men and women
who tells writer Daniel Benjamin, a senior fellow at the Center
who influence the administration of law in this country through
for Strategic and International Studies, that while his role is tech-
their own remarkable scholarship, but never lose enthusiasm for
nical in nature, he has to “look at the big picture.” He adds, “I feel
initiating lawyers into the ways of their profession. While most
I owe it to the member states to tell them how I see things from
of them don’t go so far as Professor Burt Neuborne—who burns
where I sit. I have to do verification, but I also have to see how
his notes each year so that he can approach the classroom with a
the international community can use this for a peaceful resolu-
fresh take each fall—every one of our civ pro professors admits to
tion.” Benjamin came away from his interviews with and about
being somewhat addicted to teaching this important subject. As
ElBaradei enormously impressed with the man. “He’s an inter-
regular readers know, since I became dean, each issue of The Law
national civil servant in the best sense,” says Benjamin, who trav-
School has featured an academic area in which the NYU School
eled to Vienna to meet with his subject. “ElBaradei isn’t afraid to
of Law has excelled: International Law (2002), Environmental
do what he thinks is right—and he’s got a very tough job.”
Law (2003), Criminal Law (2004), Law and Philosophy (2005)
As you make your way through the rest of this issue, you’ll
and now, Civil Procedure (2006). I’m confident that, in each of
also get to know the seven faculty members who joined us this
these areas, an objective panel would agree we have the stron-
year; their profiles begin on page 52. I’m excited to report that
gest faculty among the leading law schools. A related story, “Heads of the Class,” on page 36, showcases an edited discussion of a much-maligned tactic, the class-action lawsuit. We invited eminent alumni who often represent clients in mass tort cases to join our faculty experts for a sometimes heated,
we’ve hired 18 outstanding professors in the four years since I became dean. As a result, the size of our full-time faculty has increased significantly, improving our student-faculty ratio and solidifying our preeminent position in many fields of law. For a taste of the academic work a handful of my colleagues have published,
always nuanced and often amusing conversa-
please turn to the excerpts of recent schol-
tion about the whys and wherefores of this
arship by Professors Oren Bar-Gill, Rachel
legal instrument. I am grateful to all of the
Barkow, Daniel Hulsebosch and Katrina
featured faculty and the esteemed graduates
Wyman, starting on page 65.
who lent their expertise and gave generously of their time to make both civil procedure stories come together. Visiting Professor Arthur Miller, who moderated the roundtable with
Throughout this magazine, you’ll find stories that bring you up to date on campus activities, and showcase the accomplishments of our students, alumni
aplomb, deserves a special note
and faculty, many of whom
of appreciation.
garnered medals, grants
It’s impossible to imagine
and other honors this year.
a more timely and engaging
There is much significant
choice for our cover profile than
news, and a great deal to
alumnus Mohamed ElBaradei
celebrate. Enjoy the issue!
(LL.M. ’71, J.S.D. ’74, LL.D. ’04), who won the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize in December. The director general of
Richard REvesz