Indiana University law professor William Henderson named 'most influential' person in legal ed
William D. Henderson
Indiana University Maurer School of Law professor William Henderson has been named the year’s most influential person in legal education by the National Jurist magazine.
Henderson, a staunch believer in the need for change in legal education, is no stranger to the list. He placed second in the magazine’s rankings in both 2013 and 2014, the school said in a press release Thursday.
Named an ABA Journal Legal Rebel in 2009, Henderson has done extensive research and analysis of the business side of the legal profession. He is the major contributor to the Journal’s Paradigm Shift series, which reports on how the profession—and legal education—is changing under the pressure of disruptive technology, client demand and increased competition.
National Jurist said Henderson, who is “firmly in the intellectual category,” has been “nothing if not consistent, speaking strongly for the need of serious reforms due to a changing legal landscape.”
It also said that few others have been as committed as Henderson has to analyzing legal education and offering concepts for reform.
“He’s been writing for years, arguing that significant structural changes have changed the legal industry dramatically—and permanently,” the magazine said.
Law School dean Austen L. Parrish said the honor confirms what people in legal education circles have known for years: that Henderson is “one of, if not the most,” influential voices in the county when it comes to explaining and understanding changes occurring in large law firms and the legal profession.”
Sitting at No. 2 on the 25-member list is Erwin Chemerinsky, who is dean and distinguished professor of law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Among those new to this year’s list is Pepperdine University law professor Paul Caron, who authors TaxProf Blog.
